Oppose LB 509: Adopt the Opportunity Scholarships Act and Provide for Income Tax Credits

Chairman Hardin and members of the Health and Human Services Committee:

My name is Garret Swanson, G-A-R-R-E-T S-W-A-N-S-O-N and I am here on behalf of the Holland Children’s Movement, a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that strives to fulfill its vision for Nebraska to become a beacon in economic security and opportunity for all children and families, in opposition to LB509.

Thank you for your time Senators. Several great speakers have brought up many great reasons why this committee should not advance LB509. For the purpose of my testimony I want to touch on the inherency of this issue for Nebraskans. Our sister organization, the Holland Children’s Institute, conducts a poll at least once a year to gauge the attitudes and opinions of Nebraskans. 

Since our polling began in 2021 Nebraskans have never indicated a desire to use taxpayer dollars to subsidize private and charter schools. In 2021, 64% of Nebraskans opposed or strongly opposed giving taxpayer money to private schools while 28% supported it. In 2022, 67% of Nebraskans opposed or strongly opposed giving taxpayer money to private schools while 32% supported it. In 2023, 64% opposed while 34% were in favor. And of course Senators, in the biggest poll of them all, the 2024 election, voters rejected Referendum 435 with 57% of Nebraskans saying no and 42.97% saying yes.

Again, I bring these numbers up because it is clear that public funding for private schools is not an issue that Nebraskans want or support. As elected representatives, everyone on this committee has a duty to represent the will of the electorate. When we conduct this polling we do not just question Nebrsakans in Omaha or Lincoln, we make sure to include voices from every part of the state. Our polling is also representative as most of the Nebraskans we poll self identify as Republicans and either moderate or conservative in their political leanings. This of course matches with publicly available voter registration numbers. 

I understand that the introducer of this bill and its supporters want what is best for children in our State. I believe we all care about that. However, when it comes to getting a quality education there is nothing a private school can do that a strong public school can not. Let’s work to find solutions to problems within our current framework so every child in the state has a chance to succeed through our wonderful public education system.