Nebraskans view funding of public education justifiably as a long-term investment in the state’s future.
“Investing In Our Future,” updated in 2025, explores how Nebraska pays for K-12 education and discusses the perceived inequities of our current system.
OpenSky compiled profiles of Nebraska’s public school districts to help taxpayers to better understand education funding.
$401,538 The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) was granted an extension in October 2024 allowing additional time to spend down federal funds allocated during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically those granted under the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief – Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) program. Of the
30 Up to 30 Lincoln children will have the opportunity to attend Prep Academy, a childcare center serving students birth through Kindergarten, at TMCO. The project was given a green light by the Lincoln City Council this week in a unanimous vote. TMCO, which has operated in Lincoln for more
$136.3 Billion The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) recently released their analysis on the Educational Choice for Children Act, (ECCA) federal legislation introduced by Rep. Adrian Smith of Nebraska to offer dollar-for-dollar income tax credits for charitable donations to nonprofits that distribute vouchers to K-12 private schools. ITEP
It’s another busy week for OpenSky in front of several committees. Hearings will conclude on March 28, and we will move into full-day floor debate. We were given some strong indicators of how floor debate will progress as senators selected their personal priority bills last week and Speaker John Arch
$1 Billion About $660 million in federal funds allocated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to states for schools and child care programs to purchase food from local agricultural producers has recently been canceled. The Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program was created to provide nutritious, minimally-processed
OpenSky offered insight on 13 different bills in 5 committees last week, weighing in on everything from property taxes to school vouchers to term limits. We were also in attendance at the meeting of the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board, an important step in the development of the state’s biennium
$262 million Last week, the Appropriations Committee released its Preliminary Budget report for the upcoming biennium, Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2027). The report, a milestone in the budget process, is the Legislature’s starting point for budget actions to be taken during the 2025 session. The
The OpenSky team was busy again last week, including our first engagement with the Appropriations Committee this session on the biennium budget. Our slate is full again this week and we look forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders as the session continues. LB 261 and 264 – Research
17 Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined 16 other attorneys general in asking that Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 be declared unconstitutional, potentially causing severe consequences for children and adults with disabilities, particularly in educational settings. A 504 plan, as they are commonly known, facilitates accommodations necessary
Another week, another busy hearing schedule for the team at OpenSky Policy Institute. Hearings will continue through the remainder of February and into March. If you’d like more frequent updates on the progress of various bills, make sure to check out our new Bill Tracker feature on the website, with
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Education Nebraskans view funding of public education justifiably as a long-term investment in the state’s future. Key Resources Education Overview “Investing In Our Future,” updated in 2025, explores how Nebraska pays for K-12 education and discusses the perceived inequities of our current system. Learn More School District Profiles OpenSky compiled
