Capitol Updates
Thursday, April 10, 2025
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Voucher Advocates Push LB624 Despite Election Failure
Less than 6 months after Nebraska voters soundly rejected Measure 435—a referendum on LB1402 (2024) that aimed to divert public funds to private school vouchers—proponents are pushing a nearly identical bill. Introduced by Senator Dover, LB624 seeks to divert $10 million annually from the General Fund starting in FY2025-26 for private school scholarships. Despite the clear message from voters last November, voucher advocates continue to push these costly schemes on taxpayers, betraying the will of Nebraskans.
At the recent Appropriations Committee hearing, NSEA President Tim Royers testified in opposition, pointing out that voters in every legislative district rejected using public funds for private education. Consistent polling, four historical rejections in Nebraska, and defeats of similar proposals in Colorado and Kentucky last November demonstrate broad, bipartisan opposition to these schemes. The public has spoken—repeatedly—and LB624 defies that mandate.
This bill threatens public education on multiple fronts. It risks draining resources from already underfunded public schools, which 90% of Nebraska students attend, raising serious equity concerns. Private schools receiving these funds face no obligation to meet the same accountability standards—curriculum, testing, or oversight—as public schools, potentially compromising quality. And with $10 million annually siphoned away, public schools could face deeper budget cuts, widening disparities and limiting support for teachers and students.
Evidence shows voucher programs don’t deliver. In Louisiana, a recent report revealed only 14% of voucher students achieve mastery on state tests—less than half the rate of public school students and ten points below low-income public school peers. Studies consistently question the effectiveness of these programs, showing little to no academic benefit. Worse, funding private options could increase socioeconomic and racial segregation, as wealthier families supplement scholarships while others remain in struggling public schools, undermining inclusive education.
Rather than gambling on vouchers, Nebraska should invest in proven solutions: more funding for public schools, better support for teachers, and expanded resources like early childhood education and after-school programs. Committing $10 million yearly to private scholarships also poses long-term financial risks, potentially straining the state budget and jeopardizing other critical services. The sustainable choice is clear—strengthen public education. Nebraskans cannot afford to pay for two school systems.
CALL TO ACTION: NSEA members, we stopped LB1402, and we can stop LB624—but we need your voice now. Contact the senators on the Appropriations Committee today and urge them to indefinitely postpone this bill. Tell them Nebraska voters have rejected vouchers time and again, and their duty is to honor that decision. Together, we can protect public education and ensure every student thrives—act now to make sure LB624 meets the same fate as its predecessor!
Sen. Robert Clements, Chair, Elmwood
Sen. Christy Armendariz, Vice Chair, Omaha
Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, Omaha
Sen. Myron Dorn, Adams
Sen. Robert Dover, Norfolk
Sen. Loren Lippincott, Central City
Sen. Jason Prokop, Lincoln
Sen. Ashlei Spivey, Omaha
Sen. Paul Strommen, Sidney
Act Now to Block LB429's Attack on NSEA
As of April 10, the Education Committee is still weighing the fate of LB429, a bill that could alter the landscape for educators and their chosen representatives. This legislation zeroes in on professional organizations like the NSEA, proposing that if NSEA is allowed to use school resources—such as mailboxes, staff meetings, or bulletin boards—any other group, no matter how obscure or untested, must be granted identical access. The Committee is now considering tacking LB429 onto their priority bill as an amendment, a move that amplifies the urgency of this debate. Far from a neutral policy tweak, this bill threatens to disrupt the reliable systems educators depend on, opening the door to a flood of unvetted entities and weakening the NSEA’s hard-earned role as a trusted advocate.
What’s particularly glaring is LB429’s narrow focus. It singles out the teachers’ union while leaving other public and private unions—like SEIU for custodians or the Teamsters for bus drivers—untouched, a textbook case of special legislation banned under Article 3, Section 18 of Nebraska’s Constitution. It is a calculated move to muzzle NSEA after its pushback against bills like LB753 (2023) and LB1402 (2024). Instead of tackling pressing issues like underfunded classrooms or teacher retention, lawmakers are fixating on a bill that solves nothing and punishes the one group consistently holding them to account. With LB429 potentially hitching a ride on a priority, the stakes are climbing fast.
Take Action Now! Educators deserve better than this distraction—they need support, not shackles. The Education Committee’s next move could help lock LB429 into law, and time is short. Reach out to the senators on the Committee and request they ditch LB429 as an amendment to Committee’s priority package bill. Your personal stories and reasoned arguments could make the difference in convincing them to stand with educators. Act now to keep NSEA strong and protect the profession we’ve built together!
Sen. Dave Murman, Chair, Glenvil
Sen. Jana Hughes, Vice Chair, Seward
Sen. Danielle Conrad, Lincoln
Sen. Megan Hunt, Omaha
Sen. Margo Juarez, Omaha
Sen. Dan Lonowski, Hastings
Sen. Glen Meyer, Wayne
Sen. Rita Sanders, Bellevue
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