Church to continue to fight for school choice after ballot iniative succeeds

Catholic leaders in Nebraska have renewed their commitment to educational freedom, particularly for struggling families, after news that a school choice measure – the Opportunity Scholarships Act – will be placed on the state ballot in November.

The measure, also known as LB753, allows tax credits for donations to scholarship funds that would help students in need attend private and parochial schools.

“The long battle to honor parents as the first educators of their children continues,” according to a statement from the Nebraska Catholic Conference (NCC), which represents the state’s three bishops and their flocks.

“The Catholic Church throughout Nebraska is committed to seeing this battle end in victory for children and educational freedom,” the NCC said. “We are confident Nebraskans will keep kids first and support the Opportunity Scholarships Act, especially when they learn the facts about LB753 and see scholarships produce life-changing outcomes for students.”

The tax credit was approved earlier this year by the Legislature and Gov. Jim Pillen. At the time, Nebraska was one of only two states that did not support some form of school choice.

Soon after the Nebraska tax credit was OK’d, opponents – primarily the state teachers union, the Nebraska State Education Association – set out to gather enough signatures to put the measure on the ballot.

The Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office announced Oct. 10 that the initiative was successful. Now it will be up to voters whether to retain or repeal the tax credit.

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