Lincoln—On Friday, June 15 Senator Mike Groene of Legislative District 42 will announce the creation of the TEEOSA: School Funding Legislative Study Group to be held during the 2018 interim.

The people of Nebraska have made it clear they want the Legislature to address property tax relief. They have also indicated a desire for statewide, stable and equitable funding for their public schools.

The 1990 Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act (TEEOSA) calculates the sources of school revenue.   It is now obvious that the formula has major flaws. Two factors have come into play: the authors of the original legislation never foresaw the last decade of rapidly increasing property valuations and subsequent Legislatures have made changes to the TEEOSA formula during years when state revenues fell.  Those factors have caused an overreliance on property taxes as the major source of school funding.

Senator Groene is joined by nine of his colleagues, Senators Brewer, Briese, Friesen, Geist, Hilgers, Lindstrom, Linehan, Scheer and Wayne, in creating the TEEOSA School Funding Legislative Study Group. Together, this group represents all regions of the state, various sized schools, and local taxpayers affected uniquely by the funding formula.  Furthermore, they have all shown an interest in addressing the problem by previously introducing TEEOSA-related legislation or investing time in understanding the issue. The group has a statewide perspective on creating an equitable solution.

The end goal of the study is an introduction of a 2019 legislative bill addressing the TEEOSA revenue flaw that puts equity back into school funding and can garner the support of the full Legislature.

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What: Press conference announcing the creation of the TEEOSA: School Funding Legislative Study Group

When: 1:00-1:20pm CT on Friday June 15, 2018

Where: 2^nd Floor Rotunda, Nebraska State Capitol, 1445 K Street, Lincoln, NE 68508

Who: Senator Mike Groene will be joined by:

• • Senator Suzanne Geist
  • Senator Curt Friesen
  • Senator Tom Briese

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