Opponents of Nebraska school choice bill gather signatures at Fourth of July events

SEWARD, Neb. (KLKN) – The group hoping to repeal a school choice bill in Nebraska attended a number Independence Day celebrations on Tuesday to gather signatures, including in Seward.

Support Our Schools Nebraska is taking aim at the Opportunity Scholarships Act, which commits $25 million a year in tax credits for those who donate to private school scholarship funds.

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

If they get enough signatures, a ballot initiative could be added to repeal the law next time voters go to the polls.

Rebecca Haddix, a former teacher, said she wants more money to go to public schools.

“This petition is going to put it on the ballot so Nebraskans can really decide what’s best for them,” she said. “And for me personally, keeping public taxes in public schools … is a high priority.”

Those in favor of keeping the law were also out in Seward. They’ve started their own group called Decline to Sign.

The bill’s author, Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, said the law gives parents and students more choices for where to go to school.

“On the Fourth of July, we celebrate freedom and independence, and parents deserve — not just rich parents, but all parents deserve — to have a choice about where they educate their child,” she said. “It gives people freedom of choice, which is what America is all about.”

Linehan said the Legislature put plenty of money into public schools this year, so she’s surprised that opponents are working so hard against her bill.

The petition needs signatures from 5% of registered voters across 38 counties to make it on the ballot.