OMAHA- After last week's deadline for groups to submit signatures, one ballot initiative is still seeking signatures. Support Our Schools received two extra weeks to turn in signatures because the school choice law that the group sought to repeal was altered. They have until July 17th to collect 61,000 signatures from about 5% of registered voters to get repealing the most recent iteration of the law on the ballot in November, which they are confident will be achieved.

Supporters of the current law such as State Senators Justin Wayne and Lou Ann Linehan have emphasized the importance of providing more schooling options for parents and kids. “People aren’t putting themselves in a position of parents who have a child who is not succeeding that is miserable and they have an option here that might work,” Linehan said. The new law, LB 1402, will repeal its predecessor, LB 753, and set aside $10 million annually to create and fund the state's first voucher program for private school attendees.

The Support Our Schools ballot initiative is heavily funded and backed by influential parties. Support Our Schools is concerned that the voucher program won't reach those truly in need, but supporters of the bill refute that the change has the public interest in mind.

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