Lincoln Journal Star. May 2, 2024.
Editorial: Warnings and response to tornadoes saved lives
Last Friday, 10 tornadoes, five of them EF-3s with wind speeds of up to 158 miles per hour, tore through eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, destroying homes and businesses, overturning semitrailer trucks and train cars.
The property damage total will run into the tens if not hundreds of millions, and lives in the hardest hit areas of Elkhorn and Bennington will be disrupted for months.
But no one in Nebraska was killed in the storms — “an extraordinary miracle,” in the words of Gov. Jim Pillen.
That is because, in addition to some good fortune, those charged with keeping the public safe before and after natural disasters did their jobs and did them well.
They start with the National Weather Service in Valley, which issued 42 tornado warnings during the afternoon and evening Friday, the most in one day for a single Weather Service office in the past five years.
Those warnings were conveyed to the public through emergency sirens, phone alerts and the local media. Frequent updates from the Journal Star and other local media tracked the storms and warnings, and shared on-the-ground reports from volunteer storm spotters.
Those warnings were heeded by individuals at schools and businesses and, to choose one example, those at the Sandhills Global Events Center, where about 400 people there for the Nebraska Arboretum’s annual plant sale, sheltered in place in the building’s restrooms.
The EF-3 tornado that came close to the event center did most of the damage in Lancaster County, knocking down the roof at Garner Industries and tipping over BNSF train cars.
Law enforcement and medical first responders again did their jobs, getting on site quickly after the storm passed and treating and transporting the three people who were injured in the roof collapse.
The Elkhorn-area destruction where nearly 350 homes were damaged or destroyed will take months to replace and rebuild.
But, again, volunteers, including country star Zach Bryan and his crew who were in Omaha for a pair of concerts, turned up to clean up in such large numbers that, Pillen said, there were too many people trying to help.
Severe weather is a fact of life on the Great Plains, where tornadoes and powerful thunderstorms wreak havoc every spring.
But Friday’s commendable work by the Weather Service, media and first responders demonstrated that the public could be held as safe as possible during the storm.
And the ongoing collective effort to clean up after the storms again demonstrated that Nebraskans will rally around each other and pitch in to help make the quickest possible recovery.
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North Platte Telegraph. May 4, 2024.
Editorial: Today, a friendly disagreement among neighbors
Before we begin, we must say again: Only unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of The Telegraph.
We don’t necessarily agree with other views on this page. We strive to offer a diversity of views on important topics.
In that spirit, we offer this rebuttal to Thursday’s column by our North Platte neighbor and twice-monthly columnist Jim Paloucek.
Jim Paloucek: LB 1402 an attack on public education
He considers Legislative Bill 1402, a second stab at minimal state support for nonpublic education, “an attack on public education” because it provides tax dollars for parochial or private K-12 scholarships.
We don’t. And we didn’t when we wrote here last June 18 in favor of last year’s LB 753.
That law has been referred onto the Nov. 5 ballot but was purportedly repealed when Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB 1402 on April 24.
“Support for education in Nebraska cannot be an either-or matter,” we wrote then. “We can’t shirk our duty as citizens to support our public schools. … But neither should we act as though private and faith-based schools have no place.”
No single school is necessarily best for every student. Most greater Nebraska towns lack alternatives. But where they exist, students have more choices for an education that suits their strengths and helps them overcome their challenges.
Sadly, nonpublic schools usually aren’t affordable for low- and moderate-income families, especially if they’re also paying public K-12 property taxes.
LB 1402, like LB 753 before it, simply seeks to help such families choose an alternative and encourage potential donors to nonpublic scholarships.
But Paloucek, a lawyer, makes a valid legal point that LB 1402 — which sets up direct nonpublic K-12 scholarships, with $10 million a year provided by a companion bill — likely violates the Nebraska Constitution.
Article VII, Section 11, indeed says “appropriation of public funds shall not be made to any school or institution of learning not owned or exclusively controlled by the state or a political subdivision thereof …”
The language dates to Nebraska’s 1919-20 constitutional convention. It’s an example of a “Blaine amendment,” written into 37 state constitutions starting in the 1870s to hinder parochial schools, beginning with Catholic ones.
We believe Nebraska’s Blaine amendment deserves repeal. But with it in place, LB 1402 — introduced to render LB 753’s ballot challenge moot by repealing it before the vote — looks highly vulnerable in court.
By our reading, LB 753 did not violate our constitution. It simply set up state income tax credits for donations to groups that offer K-12 scholarships to nonpublic schools. Credits decline to collect tax money the state otherwise would.
Paloucek’s column didn’t mention LB 753. But the Nebraska State Education Association most certainly has considered it an “attack on public education” since its 2023 introduction.
Too many believe that money the government chooses not to collect still belongs to them and not us. Wrong.
So The Telegraph and Paloucek both believe LB 1402 was a bad idea — but for different reasons.
We’re each presenting our view on the one page in this newspaper devoted to the “marketplace of ideas.” His views are his. Ours are ours. Yours are yours.
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McCook Gazette. May 3, 2024.
Editorial: Voters should have say in future of school choice
At the heart of the ongoing debate surrounding Nebraska’s educational policies lies a fundamental principle: the voice of the people must be heard. Legislative Bill 1402 (LB 1402), which introduces a scholarship or voucher program for K-12 students attending private schools, has sparked intense discussion and divided opinions. However, amidst the fervor, one thing remains clear: the decision on LB 1402 should ultimately rest in the hands of the voters.
The recent petition drive launched by the Nebraska State Education Association and Support Our Schools Nebraska reflects a commitment to upholding democratic values. By seeking to repeal LB 1402 and bring the issue to a statewide vote, these advocates are championing the right of Nebraskans to have a direct say in shaping their state’s educational landscape. This initiative is not about stifling progress but rather ensuring transparency, accountability, and democratic participation in policymaking.
At the heart of this issue is the concern that LB 1402 bypasses the democratic process by nullifying a previous ballot initiative without affording voters the opportunity to weigh in on the matter. Regardless of one’s stance on school choice, it is imperative to uphold the principle that significant policy changes should be subject to public scrutiny and debate. Allowing LB 1402 to stand without voter input sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the foundation of our democratic system.
Moreover, the argument that LB 1402 provides educational options for low-income families must be weighed against the broader implications for public education as a whole. While it is crucial to address the needs of underserved communities, any policy changes should be thoroughly evaluated to ensure that they benefit all students and do not inadvertently undermine the public education system.
The opposition’s assertion that LB 1402 represents an underhanded attempt to silence voters overlooks the genuine concerns raised by educators, parents, and community members. The petition drive is not driven by fear but rather a steadfast commitment to democratic principles and the belief that Nebraskans deserve a voice in shaping policies that impact their children’s futures.
Furthermore, the financial implications of LB 1402 cannot be overlooked. With millions of tax dollars potentially being diverted to fund vouchers for private schools, it is essential to consider the long-term consequences for public education and other essential public services. By allowing voters to weigh in on this issue, Nebraska can ensure that taxpayer dollars are allocated in a manner that reflects the collective will of the people.
In conclusion, the petition drive to repeal LB 1402 is not an act of opposition but rather a reaffirmation of the democratic process. Letting the voters decide on this crucial issue is not only a matter of principle but also a testament to Nebraska’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and public engagement. It is time to trust in the wisdom of the electorate and uphold the fundamental tenets of democracy.
END