School choice notches another victory in Nebraska, continues advancing nationwide

A new school choice bill was passed in Nebraska on Thursday, focusing on low-income families.

After three rounds of debate, the state’s unicameral Legislature passed LB 1402 by a vote of 32-14. 

The bill will appropriate $25 million to the state treasurer to give as grants to scholarship granting organizations, prioritizing low-income students, special needs learners, and those from foster or military families.  

Scholarships cannot exceed 75% of the state’s per-pupil funding formula, which is nearly $5,000 per student according to the Education Data Initiative.  

But enacting the state’s first-ever school choice program has been an uphill battle.  

In 2023, the Legislature passed LB 753, also called the Opportunity Scholarships Act, to create a tax-credit scholarship.  

The Opportunity Scholarships Act was quickly challenged by teachers’ unions and other anti-school choice groups, who claimed it would take money away from traditional public schools.  

Opponents successfully petitioned to put the issue on voters’ ballots in November, but the matter is effectively moot now that LB 1402 redirects funding through the state treasurer’s office and eliminates LB 753.  

Nebraska isn’t the only state where education freedom is gaining momentum.  

Wyoming also passed its first-ever school choice program this year, and Missouri and Arkansas are expanding their existing programs to include more families.  

Southern states in particular are picking up steam. 

Alabama passed the nation’s 11th universal school choice program, and Georgia’s governor is expected to sign similar legislation soon. 

Universal school choice measures are making their way through the Louisiana and South Carolina legislatures as well.