A legislative bill that’s been dubbed the “Opportunity Scholarships” bill, LB 735, has advanced through a filibuster and past the first round of floor debate.
Proposed by State Senator Lou Ann Linehan, the bill would allow individuals or businesses who donate to organizations that give scholarships to private schools, a dollar for dollar tax credit. This would be up to $25 million for the first year, and could grow 125% a year capping at $100 million.
“753 benefits wealthy donors. It puts more money back in the pockets of people who have enough money to donate in the first place” said State Senator Jen Day.
Priority would be given to students for a number of reasons. Students living at the federal poverty level, need special education, live in foster care, are from families with active-duty parents, or have lost a parent in the line of duty, would be first in line.
State Senator Justin Wayne of Omaha, seemingly at odds with his fellow democratic legislators, “45 people from North Omaha down here yesterday, not one person said I should be against this bill,” and while he admits this bill isn’t the sole solution for education inequality, he said “Nobody else is giving an option to these parents.”
While advocating for the bill, Sen. Linehan said the bill would still have time for committee amendments, before a second round of debate, and a third final vote round.