Legislation to create Nebraska's first school choice program, the Opportunity Scholarships Act, will be up for debate next week, according to Speaker of the Legislature, Mike Hilgers. Senator Lou Ann Linehan, who has long championed the bill, has designated the legislation as her personal priority bill for 2022.
The Opportunity Scholarships Act,
LB364, would create a $10 million tax credit program for children from lower-income families to receive a scholarship to attend private school. Last year, the bill fell short of the
33 votes needed to end a filibuster, though a majority of state senators support the legislation.
In the last 12 months, school choice has skyrocketed in popularity across the country. More than 20 states passed legislation in 2021 to create, expand, or improve school choice programs.
Statement from Lauren Garcia, Nebraska State Director for American Federation for Children:
"We applaud Senator Linehan for her continued determination to deliver hope and opportunity to children in Nebraska. A family's income or ZIP code should not determine the quality of a child's education, or access to the school that best fits that child's needs. Nebraska is one of only two states in the nation that does not provide such educational opportunity to children through school choice. It's time for that to change, and we stand ready to join the fight."
Details about LB364:
