February 22, 2025
Sen. Rita Sanders, Chairperson
Sen. Megan Hunt
Sen. Bob Andersen, Vice Chairperson
Sen. Dan Lonowski
Sen. John Cavanaugh
Sen. Dan McKeon
Sen. Dunixi Guereca
Sen. Dave Wordekemper
Chairperson Sanders and members of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee :
The Lincoln Public Schools appreciates the Urban Affairs Committee’s LR16CA, which proposes a Constitutional Amendment so that the state would not impose financial responsibility for a program or increased level of service for an existing program created after 2026 on any political subdivision unless that subdivision is fully reimbursed by the state for the increased level of service or a new program. Reimbursement by the state would take form in a specific appropriation or an increase in revenue to a political subdivision. Thus, LR1CA would prohibit the imposition of further unfunded mandates.
The LPS Board of Education annually adopted Legislative Guidelines reflect the district’s long held belief that program mandates must have sufficient resources to be operationalized or that they will inevitably compromise the efficacy of existing initiatives due to resource limitations. Specifically, in our third standing Legislative Guideline we assert that mandated state and/or federal programs must have financial resources adequate to fund the requirement, or that they be optional for districts.
We reiterate our proponent stance for LR16CA and thank the Committee for its consideration of this important measure.
Sincerely,
Dr. John Skretta
Interim Superintendent
Lincoln Public Schools
402-440-9092
109A LR16CA LPS Testimony
February 22, 2025
Sen. Rita Sanders, Chairperson
Sen. Megan Hunt
Sen. Bob Andersen, Vice Chairperson
Sen. Dan Lonowski
Sen. John Cavanaugh
Sen. Dan McKeon
Sen. Dunixi Guereca
Sen. Dave Wordekemper
Chairperson Sanders and members of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee :
The Lincoln Public Schools appreciates the Urban Affairs Committee’s LR16CA, which proposes a Constitutional Amendment so that the state would not impose financial responsibility for a program or increased level of service for an existing program created after 2026 on any political subdivision unless that subdivision is fully reimbursed by the state for the increased level of service or a new program. Reimbursement by the state would take form in a specific appropriation or an increase in revenue to a political subdivision. Thus, LR1CA would prohibit the imposition of further unfunded mandates.
The LPS Board of Education annually adopted Legislative Guidelines reflect the district’s long held belief that program mandates must have sufficient resources to be operationalized or that they will inevitably compromise the efficacy of existing initiatives due to resource limitations. Specifically, in our third standing Legislative Guideline we assert that mandated state and/or federal programs must have financial resources adequate to fund the requirement, or that they be optional for districts.
We reiterate our proponent stance for LR16CA and thank the Committee for its consideration of this important measure.
Sincerely,
Dr. John Skretta
Interim Superintendent
Lincoln Public Schools
402-440-9092
Recent LPS testimony for the first session of the 109th legislature
109B LB1207
Testimony on LB1207 to require school districts to provide mental health leave for school employees by Brad Jacobsen, Associate Superintendent of Civic Engagement
109B LB1034
Testimony on LB1034 to prohibit school staff from allowing federal immigration enforcement officers to access schools without a judicial warrant by Brad Jacobsen, Associate Superintendent of Civic Engagement
109B LB1257
Testimony on LB1257 to eliminate certain sales tax exemptions, impose sales and use taxes on certain services, change school district levy limitations, eliminate the School District Property Tax Relief Act, change provisions of the School District Property Tax Limitation Act, and provide additional foundation aid under the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act by Associate Superintendent of Business Affairs, Liz Standish
109B LB765
Testimony on LB765 to change provisions relating to elections for school district bonds and bonds issued by a joint entity that includes a Nebraska school district or educational service unit by Associate Superintendent of Business Affairs, Liz Standish
109B Agency 78
Testimony regarding the proposed cuts to Agency 78 or Community Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice by Associate Superintendent of Civic Engagement, Brad Jacobsen
109B LB1112
Testimony on LB1112 to adopt the Statewide Standardized Grading System Act by Associate Superintendent of Civic Engagement, Brad Jacobsen
