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Readers write
Dear Editor:
Last year our state senators passed LB753 which would have diverted state tax money to fund private school scholarships. After a successful petition drive to get the issue on the ballot to possibly repeal it, the senators repealed it themselves this spring.
They replaced last year’s bill with LB 1402, which is a similar bill. It is insulting that our elected representatives made this power move after 117,000 Nebraskans signed last year’s petition to bring last year’s bill to a vote.
We are part of a group that is now collecting signatures for a second petition drive to get the new bill on the ballot for a citizen vote. We do not believe that money from the Nebraska state treasury should fund private school scholarships. The drive-thru petition signings will be held on June 20 and June 25 at the Aurora Senior Center from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
The proponents of this bill claim they want to help low-income families fund private school education, but the bill does not make low-income children the first priority for receiving the funds. Income guidelines are not included in the first priority of students who will receive these scholarships. It is also noteworthy that in other states private school tuition has gone up significantly after similar laws have been passed making any scholarship received less helpful.
Many states have passed similar legislation, in those states 65 to 90 percent of the scholarship recipients are not need-based students. Nebraskans should not follow like blind sheep by implementing this law. We must take a very cautious approach with a law will almost certainly cost more and more, have unintended negative consequences, and be very difficult to reverse.
We want what is best for all children, and we do not believe this bill represents the greatest good for the greatest number. Now, and in the foreseeable future, free public education is the best and fairest way to educate every student in Nebraska.
Please drive through and sign a petition at one of the two drive-thru events. Bring your spouse, neighbors and friends. Every signature is important. Strong public schools are essential for the future of our society.
Glen Beran
Dawn Haymart
Lois Hixson
Cindy Burger
Monte Burger
Kim McCain
Diana Shaffer
Bruce Ramsour
