(The Associated Press circulated the following story on April 22.)
LINCOLN, Neb. — About 25 high school students marched to the state Capitol on Wednesday to protest a state corporate tax break program they say results in funding being diverted from education.
The students presented a letter to the Nebraska State Education Association asking it to support a petition being circulated to repeal the tax break program, known as LB775.
The NSEA, the union for Nebraska’s teachers, is meeting on Saturday to discuss whether to back the drive, which currently is supported by Nebraskans for Peace, the state employees’ union and a variety of others.
NSEA president Duane Obermier watched the rally outside the Capitol and accepted a letter from the students asking for the union’s support of the petition drive.
“If teachers support it, the voters will too,” the letter said.
Obermier said he would share the letter with the NSEA’s board of directors meeting Friday. Obermier said he couldn’t predict how Saturday’s vote on supporting the petition would turn out.
Aryelle Moore, a 15-year-old freshman at Lincoln High School, led the march of about one mile from the school to the Capitol.
“I believe the kids of America can make a difference,” Moore said. She argued that while LB775 has granted money to create jobs, it has also taken away others.
The program gives tax breaks to companies that meet job and investment guidelines. Opponents argue that it is unfair for LB775 to escape state budget cuts in recent years while other parts of state government, including education funding, have been reduced.
Under LB775, companies including ConAgra and Union Pacific have received $1.5 billion in sales and income tax breaks since 1988. The state estimates that over that time more than 72,000 jobs have been created.
The students carried signs showing support for their teachers and opposing budget cuts that could result in cuts to classroom staff and programs.
“Repeal LB775 and make the future even better than the fantastic past,” Moore said.