A Nebraska tax policy think tank wants lawmakers to look at how schools are funded.
Among the interim studies approved during the legislative session were two relating to the use of property taxes for school funding. 55 percent of the funding for K-12 schools in Nebraska comes from local property tax revenue.
Tiffany Joekel, policy director with Open Sky Policy Institute, says lawmakers can’t discuss property tax relief without also discussing how to fund schools.
"We hope there will be some really great work done over the interim to examine that connection between K through 12 funding and property taxes, and hopefully find ways we can restore some balance to our tax system and also maintain that important investment in K-12 education.
Joekel says the budget passed by Nebraska lawmakers has low spending growth and funds critical investments.
Other education-related interim studies include one looking at the use of seclusion for students with behavioral issues. Another will look at the factors contributing to a gap in third-grade reading test scores, and opportunities for improvement.