Students at private and faith-based schools in Nebraska would be able to get a $1,500 state-funded savings account for educational needs under a bill that prompted a contentious hearing Tuesday.

Legislative Bill 1386 drew support from private school families and officials who said that it’s important to ensure that families can choose the education options that their children need. But it also prompted opposition from those who said the law would damage public schools.

At one point, the hearing before the Legislature’s Education Committee turned into a verbal sparring match between committee members and one of the people testifying against the bill.

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