Public school supporters rally against LB1402 at the State Capitol

Lincoln, NEB — Nearly 500 public school supporters marched to the State Capitol Saturday to protest the passage of a bill they say takes away Nebraskans’ right to vote on giving public tax dollars to private schools.

Last year, the legislature passed LB753, a bill which establishes the use of tax dollars to pay for students who otherwise wouldn't be able, to attend private schools. Opponents of LB753 led a successful referendum petition to put repeal of the law on this November’s ballot. The issue is certified to appear on this November’s ballot, but on Thursday senators passed Sen. Lou Ann Linehan’s LB1402 – which nullifies Nebraskans’ vote on LB753... replacing that bill with LB1402.

Under LB1402, the state treasurer would use $10 million per year towards private school scholarships. Senator Lou Ann Linehan, created the bill in part to avoid this November's ballot initiative that would have given voters the chance to override LB753 from last year. Public education supporters said they will continue their fight against the use of public funds to pay for private schools.

Director of Power Building at the Nebraska Civic Engagement Table said at the protest, "We have to fright for our right to vote. We have to fight to support our public schools. And we have to fight all the way through no matter what. Every one of us 117,000 until November we need to fight and register voters and make sure that we are supporting by our teachers and our community."

“Last summer, more than 117,000 Nebraskans signed the petition to let voters decide whether the state should use public funds to pay for private schools,” said Jenni Benson, Support Our Schools Nebraska “Voters in every one of Nebraska’s 93 counties signed that petition.”

"We will continue to deliver a very clear message that is inscribed in our Constitution, no public dollars for private schools," Executive Director of Stand for Schools Dunixi Guereca.