The majority of this week has been spent debating Senator Linehan’s priority bill, LB753 as Amended by AM338–Adopt the Opportunity Scholarships Act and provide tax credits, which has moved on to the Enrollment and Review process. We will have four more hours of debate once it reaches Select File.

Highlights of this bill include:

• This bill does NOT take money from public schools. This bill is a small part of Governor Pillen’s comprehensive Education and Tax Package. Included in this package is an increase for ALL public school’s special education expenses. The Governor’s package also includes $1,500 per student for ALL public schools; equalized and unequalized. This will be considered a resource, and in the case of many equalized schools, will simply replace equalization. However, for unequalized schools, it is a significant increase in state funding. This will BENEFIT ALL small, rural public schools and most mid-sized schools like Seward.
• To ensure the sustainability of this new funding, the Governor and the Legislature are placing one billion dollars in the Education Future Fund. They have also committed $250 million per year for the next four years to the Education Future Fund.
• Private schools DO ACCEPT children with special needs. Twelve percent of students in private schools in Nebraska have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or special needs. Under LB753, private schools would need to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Private schools have accountability.
• In Nebraska, private schools must be approved (guided by Rule 14) or accredited (under Rule 10) by the Nebraska Department of Education. Teachers in approved and/or accredited schools MUST hold valid Nebraska teaching certificates or permits from the Department of Education. Accredited schools must have the same teacher endorsements as public schools. Private school administrators MUST also have the same certificates as those found under Rule 14 for public school administrators.
• Private schools have academic and testing accountability. Approved private schools must administer whole-grade norm-referenced tests, Accredited private schools must administer whole-grade norm-referenced tests and also give a national assessment test at least once at the high school level.
• Approved and accredited private schools MUST have the same core curriculum as public schools. They must have reading, social studies, science, math, career and tech education, world language, visual and performing arts, and health/physical education. These schools also need to meet the mandatory Americanism curriculum. Many of the same Rule 10 and 14 standards for graduation have to be followed by private schools.
• Most importantly, the point of LB753 is to give parents and students the choice to attend the school that best serves their needs.

Bills to Watch

• LB376 is back to the top of agenda for debate. This bill will change provisions relating to the importation of alcoholic liquor into the state under the Nebraska Liquor Control Act.  It is one of the two General Affairs Committee’s priority bills. It has been amended many times trying to get support for those who are opposed to this bill to get their support.
• Following the debate and vote on LB376, we will move on to LB775 which is a bill to make necessary changes and additions to the Nebraska Gaming Act. First, this bill updates the definition of “Licensed Racetrack Enclosure”. It also grants the commission the authority to recommend necessary changes and updates to all laws administered by the commission, to the Governor and the Legislature, to carry out their statutory responsibilities. Secondly, the bill grants the commission the authority to create an adjudication subcommittee of the commission to investigate and respond to violations of the Racetrack Gaming Act.

I always appreciate hearing from constituents and seeing them when they come to the Nebraska State Legislature. If I am on the floor, I do not leave to visit with constituents as I need to hear the debate and make a decision about the bill being debated as I am first up to hit my button when the bill comes to a vote. If you would like to see me when visiting the Legislature, please call my office and set up a time to meet with me.

As always, I invite you to let me know your thoughts, ideas, concerns, or suggestions by contacting me by calling (402) 471-2716 or emailing me at jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov.