Pillen's school choice plan moving forward, critics claim its a 'scheme'

The latest version of school choice, backed by Gov. Jim Pillen, has survived its second battle in the Nebraska Legislature but the war appears far from over.
A bill that would set aside millions of dollars in tax credits to organizations that provide scholarships to private schools has cleared the second round of debate, with just enough votes (33-11) to defeat the latest filibuster.
While critics see the bill (LB753) as an economic drain on public schools, supporters say the scholarships would prioritize families that can’t afford to send their kids to private schools.
The bill would cost the state an estimated $93 million over the next three years.
The state teacher’s union calls the plan a “school tax voucher scheme” while the Nebraska Catholic Conference says the latest vote puts Nebraska families one step closer to “greater educational opportunity.”
Three Democrats, State Senators Mike McDonnell, Terrell McKinney, and Justin Wayne joined 30 Republicans voting for the bill.