Keep Kids First warns Nebraskans not to sign petition opposing school choice law

A group of Nebraska leaders and elected officials is working to ensure Nebraskans keep the new school choice tax-credit program, warning residents not to sign a petition to put it on a ballot.

The Opportunity Scholarships Act was signed into law by Gov. Jim Pillen after passing the Nebraska Legislature with a 33-11 vote in May. The measure will give Nebraskans a tax credit for contributions made to nonprofit organizations that grant scholarships to students to use on educational expenses, including private school tuition.

A week after the bill was passed, the Nebraska State Education Association (NSEA) and similar anti-school choice groups began a petition effort to put the measure before the voters in 2024.

However, Keep Kids First, a group made up of state senators, community leaders and business owners, launched a “decline to sign campaign” on Friday, warning the teachers’ union is misleading the public about the new law. 

“The union is spreading mistruths to Nebraskans,” Sen. Tom Brewer said in a press release. “This is about giving families a choice and kids a chance, not about taking anything away from our public schools. That’s the truth. Voters should reject this petition effort and decline to sign.” 

Opponents of the school choice program claim it gives public funds to private schools. 

“Nebraskans understand the importance of our public schools and keeping public funds for their local public schools,” said Jenni Benson, NSEA president, according to Lincoln Journal Star. 

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, who introduced the bill, calls such claims “insulting.” 

“They’re saying that we are taking money away from the public schools,” Linehan said, according to Nebraska Examiner. “It is insulting to the Legislature, which appropriated $300 million in new dollars for education, on top of a billion-dollar Education Future Fund.” 

By comparison, in the first year, the school choice program will be capped at $25 million is funded through tax-credit eligible donations.

While the teachers’ union tries to gather at least 90,000 signatures by early September, the 33 senators who voted for the bill released a joint statement, continuing to stand behind the bill: 

“We are deeply disappointed that some in the Nebraska public education establishment are pursuing a multi-million-dollar ballot initiative denying opportunities to vulnerable and at-risk children… We stand united with families and students and are committed to defending the educational opportunities created by the historic passage of the Opportunity Scholarships Act.”