Nebraska opts into Trump's 2027 federal school choice tax credit program

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed an executive order to opt the state into President Donald Trump's federal school choice tax credit program, a move celebrated by supporters as transformative for families seeking educational options. The program, part of the "One Big Beautiful Bill," allows taxpayers to receive a federal income tax credit for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, which will provide K-12 scholarships for eligible families. Pillen emphasized that Nebraska is "cannonballing" into the program to empower families and increase educational opportunities, despite voters rejecting a state-level voucher program in 2024. Congressional supporters, including Reps. Adrian Smith and Mike Flood, highlighted the program's potential to reduce political conflict over education funding and offer choices to families who cannot afford private tuition. Critics, such as the Nebraska State Education Association, argue this federal initiative undermines voter decisions and diverts public funds without sufficient accountability. The program is set to start in 2027, with families eligible if they earn less than three times their area's median income, and it has received praise from school choice advocacy groups as a significant step forward.