Support Our Schools
LINCOLN – It wasn’t even close.
Public school supporters on Wednesday submitted more than 117,000 petition signatures to the Nebraska Secretary of State – nearly double the number needed to give voters a say on LB753’s voucher scheme that diverts public tax dollars to private schools. The Support Our Schools Nebraska effort also handily exceeded the 38-county requirement with 5% of voters signing the petition in two-thirds of the state’s 93 counties.
“I’ve traveled all across our state these past 90 days and I am heartened by the support I’ve seen from Nebraskans for their public schools,” said Jenni Benson, a Support Our Schools Nebraska sponsor and president of the Nebraska State Education Association. “Nebraskans from all walks of life, and all areas – rural, urban, small towns and everywhere in-between – have been overwhelmingly supportive of the petition effort to put the repeal of LB753 to a vote. Nebraskans want to keep their public schools strong.”
Support Our Schools Nebraska launched the petition drive on June 6, a week after Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB753 into law. The sprint to gather signatures was a grassroots effort involving a broad base of nonprofits supporting public schools working alongside more than 2,100 circulators, event coordinators and other volunteers. Nearly 1,000 individuals offered their financial support.
“I am passionate about this issue because I have seen first-hand the results of these school voucher programs,” said Christina Grosshans, a volunteer circulator who returned to Nebraska from North Carolina, where she saw voucher programs eat away at resources for public schools. “Our kids are too important to sell-out their education and futures just so some wealthy people can get wealthier.”
LB753 follows numerous failed attempts to bring voucher programs to Nebraska. Under LB753, taxpayers can divert up to half of what they owe in state taxes to support private schools. Individuals and corporations can annually divert up to $100,000, while estates and trusts can divert $1 million. Statewide, the dollar-for-dollar tax credits could grow to $100 million within 10 years, reducing state revenues available to fund public education and other priorities.
Beyond its fiscal impact, opponents are wary of LB753’s impact on students, families and teachers. The bill lacks necessary transparency and accountability requirements, which are especially important given that private schools are allowed to admit and reject students. Public schools are open to all students.
"Public education is not only a public good, it’s a moral one,” said Rev. Michael Williams, president of the Omaha NAACP. “These so-called scholarship programs won't help the kids in my neighborhood because it's not about helping low-income kids. It's about creating another way for wealthy people and corporations to avoid paying their fair share in taxes. That's an opportunity the rest of us don't get, and it will hurt the community schools that provide opportunities for every child - no matter their race, religion, language or special need."
Betsy DeVos, a Michigan billionaire politician, has largely funded the effort to oppose giving Nebraskans the right to vote on LB753’s tax scheme. The opposition deployed blockers who were unsuccessful in harassing and intimidating Nebraska voters who overwhelmingly expressed their support for keeping Nebraska’s public schools among the best in the nation.
“We're proud of our public schools, and we should be,” said Dunixi Guereca, executive director of Stand For Schools. “So why should we believe a billionaire from a state where public schools rank 37th in the country? Nebraska voters aren't going to be fooled, and next November, we will repeal LB753."
The Secretary of State will forward the petitions to local election officials, who have 40 days to verify the petitions and the signers’ information. Once all petitions have been reviewed and requirements met, the Secretary of State will certify the measure for the November 2024 General Election ballot.
This spring, 55% of likely voters said they favored repeal of LB753, and momentum to challenge school privatization in Nebraska has surged throughout the campaign to gather signatures.
Support Our Schools Nebraska met the qualification threshold for signatures in over 60% of the state’s 20 most populated and 20 least populated counties and in nearly 70% of the counties with a private school.
“LB 753 does one thing only: it diverts public dollars to private and parochial schools through tax credits,” said Cynthia Peterson, president of the League of Women Voters of Lincoln and Lancaster County. “Because it is important for Nebraskans to be truly heard on this matter, League members all over the state invested their time and effort into circulating the referendum petition and gathering signatures to get it on the ballot. The thousands of Nebraskans who have affixed their signatures to the petition agree that voters should have the final say on this matter.”
Additional comments:
Tim Royers, a sponsor of Support Our Schools Nebraska and president of the Millard Education Association, on the hard work of public school supporters:
“We want to thank the more than 2,000 volunteers who braved a very hot summer – as well as harassment from Betsy-DeVos-funded blockers – to gather signatures to put this issue to a vote of the people,” said Royers. “We also want to thank the nearly 900 individuals who have made donations to this effort so far.”
Mary Phillips, board president of The ARC of Nebraska, on providing a great education for all students:
"This marks a significant step toward safeguarding the rights and future of our children with disabilities, like my own,” Phillips said. “The overwhelming support in gathering these signatures reinforces our belief: Nebraska stands for inclusion, equality and the promise of opportunity for all. As we move forward to the ballot, we remember young Nebraskans with disabilities and remain resolute in our commitment to ensuring every child has the chance to thrive in an inclusive environment."
Dr. Rebecca Firestone, executive director of OpenSky Policy Institute, on tax credits:
“The success of this petition drive that we are marking today is also a celebration of Nebraskans actively engaging in bread-and-butter policy decisions,” said Firestone. “Tax credits like those in LB 753 are really a form of tax avoidance, benefiting wealthier families as shown by analysis from other states. No other form of charitable giving in Nebraska allows a taxpayer to write off up to half of their tax liability."
John Hansen, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union, on protecting resources for rural schools:
“Nebraska Farmers Union thanks our members and all the volunteers who stepped up to circulate petitions and gather signatures,” Hansen said. “This is an important and yet simple issue. Public dollars should not be used to pay for the costs of private schools. In fact, 48 of our state’s 93 counties do not even have a private school – but all of them have public schools that accept every child and work to provide every child a quality education.”
Paul Schulte, a sponsor of Support Our Schools Nebraska and incoming NSEA vice president, on support for the state’s public school educators:
“As a teacher, I especially want to express appreciation for the wonderful show of support for our Nebraska public schools,” said Schulte. “Nebraskans want to keep our public schools strong and they understand that the success of this petition effort means voters will be able to repeal LB753’s voucher scheme that will drain tax dollars from public schools to fund private and parochial schools.”
Molly Gross, legislative chair of the Parent-Teacher Association of Nebraska, says strong support for the petition is a message legislators should heed:
“Through the overwhelming support for this petition, Nebraskans have sent a strong message to the Legislature that the public wants to vote on this issue. It is important that lawmakers listen to and respect the voters’ wishes. Voters understand that diverting hundreds of millions of tax dollars to private schools through this voucher tax scheme is bad public policy. Nebraska taxpayers cannot afford to give private schools millions of dollars that could otherwise be spent to support our public schools. 9 of 10 children in Nebraska attend public schools – which, unlike private schools, are open to ALL students.”
Brad Christian-Sallis, director of power building for the Nebraska Civic Engagement Table, on response by voters:
“As Nebraska's second house, it is up to voters and community advocates to make our voices heard. This is our most basic right – to vote on the issues that impact our communities. This petition has been about allowing Nebraska voters to decide what is best for their communities and their children. Nebraska voters deserve a say in how their tax dollars are spent and how their children's education is impacted.”