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Nebraska lawmakers faced a deadlock over a budget proposal involving $3.5 million in state funding for private school scholarships, with the bill failing to secure enough votes for passage.”Please vote no on cloture, so we can provide the funding for these kids in poverty and keep them where they are, and not pull them out of schools for a year,” said Sen. Robert Dover.”I challenge every one of you to bring a bill next year and see where you get with funding for scholarships. That’s the process we need to protect in the legislature,” said Sen. Myron Dorn. The funding, which was backed by the governor, was removed from the budget proposal by Sen. Robert Clements to prevent a filibuster, but the deadlock occurred regardless.”For that reason, pulling out the $3.65 million for the scholarship program, I do not support AM2748,” said Sen. Bob Andersen.Advocates argued that the funding would serve as a bridge to assist low-income students currently enrolled in private schools while they await federal program support. However, opponents believe state dollars should not be allocated to private schools. Democrats highlighted structural issues and opposed cuts to special education funding.”Even though we have significant budget challenges and political and policy disagreements, we can agree that serving kids with special needs and reducing the pressure on local property taxes is a good thing,” said Sen. Danielle Conrad.The bill failed to secure the necessary 33 votes for cloture, meaning it is stalled for now.”My message right now is simple: It’s time for them to stop playing political games and pass a balanced budget. The people of our state deserve better,” said Gov. Jim Pillen.Speaker of the Legislature John Arch announced that the bill will be revisited on Monday.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
Nebraska lawmakers faced a deadlock over a budget proposal involving $3.5 million in state funding for private school scholarships, with the bill failing to secure enough votes for passage.
“Please vote no on cloture, so we can provide the funding for these kids in poverty and keep them where they are, and not pull them out of schools for a year,” said Sen. Robert Dover.
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“I challenge every one of you to bring a bill next year and see where you get with funding for scholarships. That’s the process we need to protect in the legislature,” said Sen. Myron Dorn.
The funding, which was backed by the governor, was removed from the budget proposal by Sen. Robert Clements to prevent a filibuster, but the deadlock occurred regardless.
“For that reason, pulling out the $3.65 million for the scholarship program, I do not support AM2748,” said Sen. Bob Andersen.
Advocates argued that the funding would serve as a bridge to assist low-income students currently enrolled in private schools while they await federal program support.
However, opponents believe state dollars should not be allocated to private schools.
Democrats highlighted structural issues and opposed cuts to special education funding.
“Even though we have significant budget challenges and political and policy disagreements, we can agree that serving kids with special needs and reducing the pressure on local property taxes is a good thing,” said Sen. Danielle Conrad.
The bill failed to secure the necessary 33 votes for cloture, meaning it is stalled for now.
“My message right now is simple: It’s time for them to stop playing political games and pass a balanced budget. The people of our state deserve better,” said Gov. Jim Pillen.
Speaker of the Legislature John Arch announced that the bill will be revisited on Monday.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
