Kearney Public Library (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — Support Our Schools Nebraska volunteers will be outside the Kearney Public Library this week in a final push to gather enough signatures to let Nebraskans decide the fate of using public funds to pay for private schools.
Nebraskans can stop by the library at 2020 1st Ave. to sign the petition from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday, July 8-12.
Last year, more than 117,000 Nebraskans signed a successful referendum petition to put the repeal of a private school voucher scheme on the ballot; however, ignoring the will of the voters, State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan pushed to passage a new taxpayer-funded voucher scheme to pay for private schools. Linehan admitted she introduced LB1402 to deny Nebraska voters their right to vote on the issue, calling her bill an “end-run” around the successful petition drive.
So, the Support Our Schools Nebraska coalition is circulating a new petition this year to put the issue back on the November ballot.
“Even if you signed the petition last year, you must sign this year’s petition to put the LB1402 voucher scheme on the November ballot,” said Jenni Benson, a Support Our Schools Nebraska sponsor. “We cannot allow politicians to impose this costly private school voucher scheme on taxpayers while denying Nebraskans the right to vote on the issue.”
There is substantial evidence from other states showing the harm these costly voucher programs cause public schools and taxpayers. Vouchers undermine strong public education and student opportunity. They take scarce funding from public schools—which serve 90 percent of students—and give it to private schools—institutions that can discriminate against children and that are not accountable to taxpayers.
Support Our Schools Nebraska – Last Chance to sign library events in the Tri-Cities
July 8 – 12, 2024, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Kearney Library, 2020 1st Ave.
- Grand Island Library, 1124 W. 2nd St
- Hastings Library, 314 N Denver Ave.
