LINCOLN- Following several days of debate and discussion over LB583, as well as a myriad of amendments introduced by senators seeking to expand the scope of the bill, the body moved to approve Gov. Jim Pillen's school aid proposal on Tuesday. LB593, introduced by Sen. Sanders at the behest of Gov. Pillen, advanced to its second round of debate on a 39-3 vote.

Despite this, several senators were disappointed to see the bill pass without the addition of amendments, all of which were voted down. One of these amendments, introduced by Sen. Tom Brandt, "eliminated weaknesses" contained within the governor's bill. Under Brandt's amendment, the funds contained within LB583 would be disbursed more equally among Nebraska schools.

Another amendment, introduced by Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, would provide "universal" school lunches for all Nebraska schoolchildren. Cavanaugh and several other supporters of the amendment argued that it would be critical to students' success in school. Sen. Linehan, however, pointed out that Legslature's Education Committee already advanced a similar bill from Sen. Lynne Walz, which seeks to provide free school lunches to students in low-income areas of the state.

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