In late September, Gov. Jim Pillen held a press conference to announce that he would opt Nebraska into the newly created federal school-choice tax credit program.

He could have used that moment to rally Nebraskans around a shared belief that every student in our state deserves support, no matter where they receive their education. Instead, he chose to push a polarizing narrative and double down on his attacks on Nebraska voters.

While the new federal program is similar to the state tax credit scheme repealed by voters in 2024, there is one crucial difference: unlike Nebraska’s now-defunct program, which was built to exclusively subsidize private-school tuition, the federal program allows approved organizations to support all students — including those attending public schools.

If that surprises you, you can thank the governor. He staged his press conference at a private school, deliberately framed the program as a private-school benefit and ignored the broader opportunities available to Nebraska students.

Worse yet, in his executive order he claimed he was opting Nebraska into the program because the Nebraska State Education Association had “stolen these opportunities for students” by supporting the repeal of Legislative Bill 1402 — an accusation that not only distorts the truth but also dismisses the clear mandate delivered by Nebraska voters.

When asked how he could justify the move less than a year after voters rejected school-choice measures, Pillen insisted Nebraskans “totally agree” with such policies and even claimed some counties voted “unanimously” to keep LB 1402.

But more than 80 of Nebraska’s 93 counties voted to repeal the law, and even in the handful that supported it, fewer than 60 percent of voters backed keeping the voucher program. Rather than acknowledge the clear message his constituents sent and level with the public about what this federal program actually does, Pillen has instead chosen to advance a political narrative that serves his agenda, not our students.

The reality is that 57 percent of Nebraska voters chose to repeal LB 1402 – marking the fourth time Nebraskans have rejected efforts to divert public resources to private schools. Most Nebraskans understand that public resources should stay with our public schools so they can continue serving as the strong community pillars they are.

That’s why, when the “Big, Beautiful Bill” was debated in the U.S. Senate this summer, Nebraska U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer was one of three Republicans who voted for a bipartisan amendment removing this federal tax credit program from the legislation.

Now that Pillen has proudly “cannonballed” this federal tax credit program into Nebraska, the genie is out of the bottle. Our priority must be ensuring the program is used in a way that benefits all Nebraska students.

Under federal law, approved organizations can receive donations for expenses such as tutoring, technology and extended-day programs – costs that impact families regardless of where their children attend school.

Just imagine the good that could be done if the private foundations that support local public schools could apply to become approved organizations and donors could receive a full dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit for supporting students in their own communities.

Unfortunately, while states may approve organizations that serve public schools, nothing requires them to do so. That means Nebraskans will have to again raise their voices and urge the governor to approve organizations that support the overwhelming majority of our students – those attending public schools.

Our focus moving forward is to work with lawmakers to ensure Nebraska has approved organizations that serve all students, regardless of how they receive their education.

The governor had an opportunity to unite Nebraskans behind that shared goal. Instead, he used the moment to defy a clear message from voters and sow confusion about how this federal program can truly be used.

Every day, hundreds of thousands of students walk through the doors of our public schools to learn and grow. Here at NSEA, we will continue doing everything we can to ensure their needs remain at the center of decision-making in Nebraska.

This story was published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. Read the original article: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/15/pillen-could-expand-reach-of-federal-tax-credit-to-help-public-and-private-school-students/

Opinions expressed by columnists in The Daily Record are not necessarily those of its management or staff, and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Any errors or omissions should be called to our attention so that they may be corrected. Contact us at news@omahadailyrecord.com.