Vote to repeal LB 1402 on Nov. 5th

Dear Editor:
Vote to repeal LB 1402 Referendum 435, the private education scholarship bill, in the general election. You may have seen recent advertisements that say teachers oppose this law because they are protecting their jobs. That is very disingenuous. Most people give educators more credit. They teach because they care a great deal about students and learning. Teachers care enough to dedicate their careers to teaching children. We are retired educators who oppose LB 1402 because it is wrong for Nebraska for a host of reasons.
LB 1402 will result in unnecessary state spending. This law obligates $100 million taxpayer dollars for private school tuition in the coming years, and that number will grow. In other states that have already passed similar laws, the spending is overwhelming their state budgets without irrefutably better academic results. 
Do some research -- Arizona in particular, but also other states are now underfunding public education, infrastructure, and other areas in order to keep up with their state’s private school funding commitments. We urge you to vote to repeal LB 1402. 
Glen Beran
Bruce Ramsour
Sandy Howland
Monte Burger
Cindy Burger
Julie Jensen
Kim McCain
Dawn Haymart
Lois Hixson