April 30, 2024

In response to the Nebraska State Education Association and Support Our Schools Nebraska’s recent announcement to launch a petition to remove school choice opportunities for low-income students granted by LB 1402, Chairman of the Education Committee Dave Murman issued the following statement:

“It is shocking and saddening to see these groups attack even the humblest legislation aimed at giving low-income families a choice in their education. Many have been quick to sow misconceptions that this is a way of defunding or diverting funds from public schools.”

“In reality, in the 2022–2023 year, K-12 schools received about $4.7 billion in taxpayer funds. Since my time as chair of the Education Committee, we have additionally appropriated over $1.6 billion for our public schools. With these recent investments in our public schools, it is surprising that the $10 million cost of LB 1402, which is about 0.2 percent of our total education funding, is such a concern to the teachers union.”

 “Despite the misrepresentations and attacks, my colleagues and I stand committed to ensuring children in Nebraska, regardless of their income and circumstances, have access to a quality education that best meets the unique needs of their families.”

Recent investments in public education in 2023-2024:

LB 583 allocated a $1.5 billion Education Future Fund lockbox guaranteeing that money be used exclusively for education purposes, raised the special education option enrollment reimbursement from 42 percent up to 80 percent, and established a $112 million foundation aid allocating $1,500 per student in state funding.

LB 705 allocated $250,000 for career readiness programs, $500,000 for student teachers, $2.5 million for special education expenses, $10 million for the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act, $1 million for the Teacher Apprenticeship Program, $4 million in NDE Innovation Grants, $1.8 million for the Excellence in Teaching Cash Fund, and $5.3 million to increase career and technical education.

LB 1329 allocated $525,000 for critical response mapping and school safety infrastructure.

LB 1284 allocated $250,000 for menstrual products in public schools, $500,000 for dyslexia programs, $2 million for reading instruction job training, and $2.5 million for computer science and technology training.