Vote to repeal 1402

One simple question lies at the center of a debate involving a private education scholarship bill which will be decided in the Nov. 5 General Election. Should Nebraska taxpayers help fund students and their families who choose to attend a private school? The answer to that question is a hard no.
This proposed law seeks to allow taxpayer funding to flow into private schools — a move that has sparked passionate debate from supporters and critics alike. While its proponents argue that it will expand educational choice for parents and students, this bill represents a significant and concerning redirection of public resources away from public schools, risking the very foundation of equitable education in Nebraska.
At its core, LB 1402 would establish a mechanism for taxpayer dollars to fund private education, blurring the once-clear line between public and private schooling. Historically, Nebraska has been one of the few states to uphold a strong separation between public school funding and private institutions, recognizing the crucial role public education plays in creating an inclusive, accessible learning environment for all students, regardless of their background or financial situation. LB 1402 threatens to erode that foundation.
Much has been written and said about LB 1402, a bill passed by Nebraska lawmakers earlier this year which would take up to $10 million from the state treasury to fund private scholarships. The answer given by those who support the referendum is that choice is a good thing in all aspects of life, including education, which in and of itself is a sound argument.
The distinction in this case that makes all the difference is that families do have a choice where their kids go to school, and no one is arguing that they shouldn’t. Option enrollment is available now and long has been to families who prefer to attend a school district other than the one in which they live. However, for those who prefer not to attend a public school, for whatever reason, that decision has come at a cost and should continue to bear a financial burden on that family, not all Nebraska taxpayers.
This debate goes back at least two years in Nebraska, beginning with passage of LB 435, which set the funding level at a much higher $25 million, though the distribution model in that bill involved tax credits. An effort to gather signatures and put that measure on the ballot was successful, though lawmakers made that petition drive null and void by passing LB 1402.
A second effort, led not surprisingly by teachers, former educators and supporters of Nebraska public schools, gathered signatures to put this measure on the Nov. 5 ballot, which is where this question should ultimately be decided.
The most immediate concern with LB 1402 is its potential to drain already limited resources from public schools. Shifting taxpayer money to private schools could exacerbate the funding shortfall in public institutions that serve the vast majority of Nebraska’s students. These schools are tasked with educating students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, including those with special needs or who require additional support services. A diversion of funds could leave public schools struggling to provide adequate resources, teacher support, and enrichment programs — worsening educational inequity across the state.
Ultimately, this vote is not about the differences, advantages or disadvantages of attending a public or private school. It’s about asking ALL Nebraska taxpayers to support the choice of a minority few to have their children attend a private school.
It’s really as simple as that, and on that question alone the answer seems obvious.
Vote to repeal LB 1402 Referendum 435.
-- Kurt Johnson