The push for school choice in Nebraska is pitting lawmakers against their constituents

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers are set for the first time to pass a bill that would block the public from voting on a ballot measure initiated by citizens of the state, setting up what could be a long battle over whether to fund private school tuition with public dollars.

On Thursday, lawmakers will take a final vote on a bill that would repeal a law passed last year to divert millions in income tax receipts to pay for private school scholarships. The bill would replace it with a measure that would directly fund private school tuition from state coffers. If it passes, it will effectively block voters from repealing the private school funding law that is set to appear on the November ballot following a successful petition drive.

Retired Lincoln high school teacher Rita Bennett described lawmakers’ plan to circumvent a vote of the people with one word.

“Outrage,” Bennett said.

The use of ballot initiatives has long been a source of pride not just for residents, but Nebraska’s unique one-chamber, nonpartisan legislature. Lawmakers often refer to the state’s residents as “the Nebraska Legislature’s second house.”

<bsp-list-loadmore data-module="" class=«PageListStandardB» data-gtm-region=«READ MORE» data-gtm-topic=«No Value» data-show-loadmore=«true» data-gtm-modulestyle=«List B»> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> READ MORE </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> Much of central US faces severe thunderstorm threat and possible tornadoes </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> Veteran Nebraska police officer killed in crash when pickup truck rear-ended his cruiser </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> Nebraska lawmakers pass a