‘School Choice’ Bill Moves Forward

By Gordon HopkinsA controversial ‘school choice’ bill cleared its first major hurdle.The Nebraska Legislature voted to advance LB (Legislative Bill ) 753, the Opportunity Scholarships Act, on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, after the first round of debate and a cloture vote.According to the bill’s statement of intent, “Under the Act, individual and corporate taxpayers would qualify for a non-refundable tax credit equal to the amount the taxpayer contributed to a scholarship-granting organization.”Jeremy Ekeler, the Associate Director of Education Policy at the Nebraska Catholic Conference, expressed his support for the bill, “The Opportunity Scholarship Act is a win for Nebraska families and our entire state. Today’s historic vote on LB753 means the Unicameral put kids first. This step brings Nebraska closer to a day when every child can find their best educational fit. We thank the champions of the Opportunity Scholarship Act, including Governor Jim Pillen, Senator Lou Ann Linehan, and Senator Justin Wayne and other supporting senators for their courageous leadership. We are more resolved and energized than ever to see LB753 bring educational opportunities to the families of Nebraska.”Governor Jim Pillen said, “LB 753 gives kids in need, including kids in poverty, kids in foster care, and kids of military veterans, more choices when identifying a school which best meets their needs. This bill is part of a package and failure to pass it will jeopardize funding for all Nebraska students.”Opponents of the bill see it as another attempt to take funds from public schools and give them to private schools. Stephen Grizzle, Superintendent of Fairbury Public Schools, said, “As you might expect, I am not a fan of LB 753. For a variety of reasons, but primarily, as a school that does not get any equalization aid, they are diverting funds that could be used to enhance state aid and giving it to donors for private schools. In addition, this is state money for private schools and private schools still have no accountability to the state. I also do not agree that these donors should get a ‘dollar for dollar’ tax credit for their donation, while a donor to a Public School Foundation will only get a fraction of a credit.”Dr. Chris Prososki, Superintendent of Southern Schools District, wrote an editorial earlier this year, which said in part, “I stand opposed to this proposed legislation for a number of fundamental reasons. First, our state ranks almost last in the amount of state support for K-12 public education. If public money is diverted to private or parochial schools, the amount of money that is available for public schools will decrease. Second, school privatization plans like LB 753, have had devastating consequences on a number of different fronts in other states who have adopted similar type programs. Lastly, private or parochial schools do not follow the same regulations as public schools, they are not publicly accountable like public schools, and they do not accept all students like public schools.”Tri County Superintendent Tiffanie Welte said, “I have been following that debate closely and I am very disappointed at the rhetoric, misinformation and manipulation taking place. I’m incredibly grateful to Senators (Tom) Brandt and (Michael) Dorn for not casting votes in favor of LB753. They have listened to educational professionals, considered the research and used common sense to support students and families attending TCPS and across the state. They are open to making logical compromises that meet the goals we all agree are priorities.”“Governor Pillen has espoused three values that drive his goals in his speaking engagements: kids are our future, we can’t give up on our kids, and our tax system is flawed. He’s done a great job of collaborating and listening to stakeholders to propose LB583, LB589 and LB681 as a “package” deal to address those goals. Those proposals have merit and potential for even further improvement to help all public school students across the state, especially if LB320 is combined with LB 583. Somehow, LB753 has latched on to become part of that “package”. It’s time for compromise. Upholding Constitutional obligations to fully fund public education in this state should not be up for debate as an “all-or-nothing” deal that diverts money from the public good to private organizations, whether they be scholarship granting organizations or schools,” said Welte. “Dollars being proposed as part of LB753 would be better spent on initiatives that support families in preparation for learning such as universal Pre-K, affordable childcare and housing, and the like. The purported aims of LB753 to provide at-risk students with more options that include private schools could be attained by LB165 that would expand the Nebraska Educational Savings Plan. That’s a compromise that honors the intent of providing families with choices and provides individuals with more equitable tax write-off opportunities.”Welte added, “(T)he debates in the legislature have been weighing heavily on my heart and mind and I fear that our legislature is making poor decisions that will hurt all of our kids and state in the long run.”

Ivan R. Simpson

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