Nebraska group submits over 117,000 signatures to repeal school choice bill

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Support Our Schools Nebraska on Wednesday submitted more than 117,000 signatures in hopes of repealing a school choice bill.

In a press release, the group said it submitted the petition signatures to Secretary of State Bob Evnen, who will now work to verify them.

The group is aimed at repealing the Opportunity Scholarships Act, which commits $25 million a year in tax credits for those who donate to private school scholarship funds.

Organizers said the law puts public tax dollars into private schools, which can discriminate in their admissions.

“Nebraskans from all walks of life, and all areas – rural, urban, small towns and everywhere in-between –  have been overwhelmingly supportive of the petition effort to put the repeal of LB753 to a vote,” said Jenni Benson, president of the Nebraska State Education Association, in the release. “Nebraskans want to keep their public schools strong.”

If the signatures are verified, Nebraskans will vote on the matter in the 2024 election.

Gov. Jim Pillen, who signed the bill in May, said in a statement that the fight is not over.

“I have confidence in education, both public and private,” he said in the statement. “I will continue to make sure each student in Nebraska has the educational freedom to choose where they want to attend school.”

SEE ALSO: Poll: More than half of Nebraskans want repeal of Opportunity Scholarships Act