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and testified that she loves the communi-ty of her school. Paul Evans spoke ofthe 37,933 students attending privateschools in Nebraska and the $406 mil-lion per year this saves state taxpayers.Fr. Decaen spoke of Catholic educationhelping families to best educate theirchildren and to meet their individual ed-ucational needs. He mentioned of CristoRey having ties to seven Catholic

schools in Lincoln. Heather Doxonspoke as a single mother who could ben-efit from LB14 if it were passed. Shespoke of private schools providing the

best educational setting for many chil-dren, including her daughters.

LB 14 was not selected as a prioritybill. It is held by the Revenue Commit-tee. As long as the Committee does notindefinitely postpone the bill, it will car-ry over to 2014. The committee couldadvance the bill to the full Legislatureand it would start next years session

ready for floor debate.(Scholarship continued on page 2)

City, Fatima Rivera of Lincoln (SacredHeart Parish), Paul Evans of Lincoln(Faith Lutheran School and Church),Rev. Ramon Decaen of Lincoln (CristoRey Parish), Heather Doxon of Lincoln(Faith Lutheran), and Jeremy Murphy,

Nebraska Catholic Conference. Oppo-nents included representatives of the

Nebraska State Education Association(public school teachers union), the Ne-

braska Association of School Boards/Nebraska Council of School Adminis-trators, Nebraska Secular Advocatesand the Lincoln PTA. Americans Unit-ed for Separation of Church and State(Omaha chapter) submitted a letter op-

posing the bill.Kent Bieker emphasized that 12

states have tax-credit-supported schol-arships and that Nebraska Catholicschools save state taxpayers $300 mil-lion annually by educating children.Fatima Rivera spoke of the 9,000 schol-

arships that are provided each year bythe Iowa tax-credit scholarship program

On Jan. 10, Senator Bob Krist ofOmaha introduced LB 14, the Elemen-tary and Secondary Educational Oppor-tunity Act, a bill designed to help fami-lies pay for more school options,through scholarship programs supported

by a state tax credit. Senator Bill Kint-ner of Papillion co-sponsored this bill.

The bill provides for a state incometax credit for donations to scholarship-

granting organizations, nonprofit enti-ties established to provide scholarshipsto low and middle-income families.Eligible families would have to 1) re-side in Nebraska; 2) satisfy the meanstest (household income within 300% ofthe federal free or reduced lunch stand-ard); and 3) have one or more childrenwho are either entering kindergarten orninth grade, or transferring from publicto private schools.

On March 5, 2013, the RevenueCommittee held a public hearing on LB

14. Proponent witnesses included: KentBieker (President of NFCSP) of Falls

Parent AdvocateNebraska Federation of Catholic School ParentsNebraska Catholic Conference Affiliate Program

Volume 20, Issue 3April, 2013

SCHOLARSHIP TAX CREDIT EFFORTS RESUME

202020NFCSP

Washington D.C., Jan 30, 2013 (CNA).- In a statement commemorating Catholic Schools Week, Bishop Joseph P. McFad-den of Harrisburg, Pa., lauded Catholic schools for helping evangelize the nation.

It is a challenging education in an atmosphere where Jesus Christ is the center, thechair of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Catholic Education said Jan. 29.

The unique atmosphere of our Catholic schools is a space and place where the

New Evangelization can reach out to parents and children in a way that is respectful

of the human person, presents the teachings of the Church, and supports family life. Bishop McFadden pointed out that the more than 6,800 Catholic schools in the U.S.

reach 2 million students daily. He thanked the 151,000 people who choose to teach at theseschools, giving a witness of love and commitment to parents and young people.

He said Catholic schools in the U.S. have a rich history in supporting evangelization.The intention of Catholic education is to offer the life giving Word of the gospel in an environment that shows respect for thehuman person, the virtues of good citizenship and academic excellence.

In this Year of Faith it is important to remember that our Catholic schools are centers for the New Evangelization for fami-lies of a variety of socio-economic backgrounds and diverse cultures, he said.

He said the ethnic diversity at Catholic schools, as well as the 15 percent of non-Catholic pupils, creates a rich environ-ment for catechesis and cultural diversity.

Bishop McFadden also used his letter to thank the parents who choose Catholic schools and all those who support Catholiceducation.

BISHOP PRAISES CATHOLIC SCHOOLSFORROLEIN EVANGELIZING

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/

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ParentAdvocateA April 2013202020

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FISCAL CLIFF DEAL MAKES COVERDELLSAVINGS ACCOUNTS PERMANENT

On Jan. 1, Congress approved afiscal cliff deal in theAmerican Tax-payer Relief Act of 2012. A major

breakthrough was achieved in makingCoverdell Education Savings Accounts(ESAs) permanent.These ESAs allowfamilies (including parents, grandpar-ents, and other relatives) to earn tax-exempt interest on up to $2,000 in an-nual savings to be used for expenses,including tuition, associated with ele-mentary, secondary or post-secondaryeducation in public or private schools.Before this deal was reached, the au-thorization for Coverdell accounts was

being extended in two-

year periods.

First enacted in 2001, Coverdellaccounts are the first and only measureof federal tax relief that specificallyhelps parents with the costs of a childseducation in a private elementary orsecondary school. Religious schoolsare included. Although the benefits

provided by Coverdell accounts aremodest, their historical significance isunmistakable.

ESAs are named for the late PaulCoverdell, a Georgia Republican U.S.Senator.How ESAs Work

The buildup of interest within theCoverdell accounts is tax free; neitherthe principal nor interest is taxable up-on withdrawal if used for qualified edu-cational expenses, which include tui-tion, fees, academic tutoring, after-school programs, special-needs ser-vices, books, supplies, computers, uni-forms, and transportation. Individualtaxpayers with modified adjustedgross income under $95,000 and mar-ried taxpayers with MAGI under$190,000 can make the maximum al-lowable annual contribution to an ESA.At higher income brackets, the allowa-

ble contribution starts to phase out.

TAX CREDITSFORPUBLIC SCHOOL

SUPPORTERS ONLY?LB 547, a bill introduced by Senator

Rick Kolowski of Omaha, proposes to

create a state income tax credit for dona

tions to public school districts for extra-

curricular activities and character educa-

tion programs. The bill does not authori

credits for supporters of private school

activities. Unlike some previous educa-

tional-expense tax-credit bills, LB 547

only allows for the credit if donors make

cash donations to school districts. The

character education would have to be pr

vided after-school in order to qualify for

the credit (character education is provide

by Catholic schools during school hours

The limits on the nonrefundable credit

would be $500 per individual or $1000

per married couple.

Covered extracurriculars would in-

clude school-sponsored activities that

charge a fee, band uniforms, equipment

uniforms for varsity athletic events, scie

tific laboratory materials, and in-state an

out-of-state trips that are solely for com-

petitive events. Obviously, private schoo

students also participate in such activitie

and competitions at costs to the parents,

who also pay tuition in addition to taxes

operate public schools.

It would seem logical that a tax cred

of this nature should be extended to do-

nors to private school extracurricular ac-

tivities and should not discriminate be-

tween schools. In fact, a stronger case c

be made for tax credits for contributions

to non-tax-supported entities. Parents

incur these costs and dont really receive

any significant economic relief for them

The 12states that have a tax-creditscholarship law similar to the LB 14are: Alabama (just passed this year),

Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Indiana, Geor-gia, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Okla-homa, Rhode Island, and Virginia. The

rapid growth of programs throughoutthe country shows an emerging and

growing sense of educational tax justicefor parents who pay twice for educa-tion, both taxes and tuition. In Nebras-ka, that sense of economic recognition

for parents sacrifices is still lacking.A fiscal analysis by Brian Gottlob,

an educational-funding economist,showed possible savings to state tax-

payers of $55-80 million over 10 years

if LB 14 were passed. This fiscal analy-sis was distributed to members of theRevenue Committee.

NFCSP members are encouraged

to make contact with all members of

the Revenue Committee to urge themto advance LB 14 to the full legisla-

ture for next year. Without broadsupport being shown for the bill, it

will be terminated without any floor

debate. Your help is needed!

(Scholarship continued from page 1)

You can follow us on @nfcsp

As Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindhas said, Let parents vote with their fwithout having to sell their house to p

for private schoolTo oppose schochoice is to choose an old, antiquated ce

tralized approach that has no relevancethe modern age. To oppose school choiis to put the needs of adults and the statquo above the needs of children.

Meanwhile...

Federal Legislation IntroducedA bill to encourage contributions to

private school scholarship programs bymeans of a federal tax credit has beenintroduced in the U.S. Senate by Sen.Marco Rubio of Florida.

Education plays a central rolein the 21st century knowledge econo-my said Senator Rubio. If we wantour children to thrive economically,we need to equip students and familieswith the tools they need to succeedand make it in the middle class and

beyond. Parental school choice is acritical piece in this, which is why I

introduced the Educational Opportuni-ties Act. This bill will incentivize in-vestment in students and empower

parents by allowing more educationalopportunities, especially in low-income households that would other-

wise not be able to afford it. Its thekind of incentive that will help im-

prove education in America and pre-pare our children for the jobs of tomor-row, without additional burdens on theAmerican taxpayer.

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ParentAdvocateAdvocate April 2013

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CONTACTING YOUR STATE SENATORTo e-mail senators through the Nebraska Legislative webpage athttp://nebraskalegislature.gov, use the legislators first initial plus theirlast name followed by @leg.ne.gov,

Mailing Address

Senator ________________District # ________

State CapitolP. O. Box 94604

Lincoln, NE 68509

LB 356, a bill introduced by Sena-tor Russ Karpisek of Wilber, proposesto unnecessarily restrict privateschools from participating in inter-scholastic extracurricular and co-curricular activities (including athleticsand fine and performing arts) unlessthey admit all students with disabilities(as defined by state law).

In order to be excluded from this

proposed, excessively intrusive man-date, private schools would have toreimburse the resident public schoolfor actual expenses in providing spe-cial education services and provide or

pay for transportation services associ-ated with special education services.

This bill conflicts with state andfederal laws directing the provision of

special education services. This is aresponsibility assigned by law to pub-lic school districts, for which they are

paid federal and state funds. Any ex-pectation that non-governmentalschools should be coerced to providespecial-education services is illogicaland ignores the governmental mecha-nisms for delivery and funding.

Perhaps Sen. Karpisek is unaware

that two special-purpose Catholicschools, Villa Marie in Waverly and

Madonna School in Omaha, wereproviding special education servicesfor years before the federal law passedin 1975 (now known as the Individualswith Disabilities Education Act) re-quired it. Villa Marie opened in 1964.Madonna School was open by 1970.

Of students with disabilities attend-

ing Catholic schools, there are a range

of varying disabilities, but perhaps the

most common service provided

through public school districts is

speech therapy. It would be unfortu-

nate for private schools and students to

be punished for relying upon state

and federal laws governing special

education. The bill as written would

disqualify Catholic schools (and other

private schools) from participating in

activities that are governed by the Ne-

braska State Activities Association

(NSAA). Private-school participation

in NSAA activities, allowing for com-

petition between schools, is longstand-

ing and should not be manipulated.

BILL RESTRICTING PRIVATE SCHOOL ACTIVITIES DANGEROUS PRECEDENT

Dist. Senator Capitol Phone Room City1 Watermeier, Dan (402) 471-2733 1404 Syracuse2 Kintner, Bill (402) 471-2613 1115 Papillion3 Price, Scott (402) 471-2627 1202 Bellevue4 Pirsch, Pete (402) 471-2621 1101 Omaha5 Mello, Heath (402) 471-2710 1004 Omaha6 Nelson, John E. (402) 471-2714 2107 Omaha7 Nordquist, Jeremy J. (402) 471-2721 2004 Omaha8 Harr, Burke J. (402) 471-2722 1120 Omaha9 Howard, Sara (402) 471-2723 1523 Omaha10 Krist, Bob (402) 471-2718 2108 Omaha11 Chambers, Ernie (402) 471-2612 1114 Omaha12 Lathrop, Steve (402) 471-2623 2000 Omaha

13 Cook, Tanya (402) 471-2727 1208 Omaha14 Smith, Jim (402) 471-2730 1118 Papillion15 Janssen, Charlie (402) 471-2625 1403 Fremont16 Brasch, Lydia (402) 471-2728 1016 Bancroft17 Bloomfield, Dave (402) 471-2716 1206 Hoskins18 Lautenbaugh, Scott (402) 471-2618 1021 Omaha19 Scheer, Jim (402) 471-2929 1117 Norfolk20 Ashford, Brad (402) 471-2622 1103 Omaha21 Haar, Ken (402) 471-2673 1018 Malcolm22 Schumacher, Paul (402) 471-2715 1124 Columbus23 Johnson, Jerry (402) 471-2719 1529 Wahoo24 Adams, Greg L. (402) 471-2756 2103 York25 Campbell, Kathy (402) 471-2731 1402 Lincoln

Dist. Senator Capitol Phone Room City26 McGill, Amanda (402) 471-2610 1212 Lincoln27 Coash, Colby (402) 471-2632 2028 Lincoln28 Avery, Bill (402) 471-2633 1423 Lincoln29 Bolz, Kate (402) 471-2734 1522 Lincoln30 Wallman, Norm (402) 471-2620 1406 Cortland31 Kolowski, Rick (402) 471-2327 1528 Omaha32 Karpisek, Russ (402) 471-2711 1015 Wilber33 Seiler, Les (402) 471-2712 1017 Hastings34 Dubas, Annette (402) 471-2630 1110 Fullerton35 Gloor, Mike (402) 471-2617 1401 Grand Isl36 Wightman, John (402) 471-2642 2010 Lexington37 Hadley, Galen (402) 471-2726 1116 Kearney

38 Carlson, Tom (402) 471-2732 1210 Holdrege39 McCoy, Beau (402) 471-2885 2015 Omaha40 Larson, Tyson (402) 471-2801 1019 ONeill41 Sullivan, Kate (402) 471-2631 107 Cedar Rap42 Hansen, Tom (402) 471-2729 1012 North Pla43 Davis, Al (402) 471-2628 1117 Hyannis44 Christensen, Mark R. (402) 471-2805 1000 Imperial45 Crawford, Sue (402) 471-2615 2104 Bellevue46 Conrad, Danielle (402) 471-2720 1008 Lincoln47 Schilz, Ken (402) 471-2616 1022 Ogallala48 Harms, John N. (402) 471-2802 2011 Scottsbluf49 Murante, John (402) 471-2725 1115 Gretna

NFCSP: CELEBRATING OUR 20TH YEAR

http://nebraskalegislature.gov/http://nebraskalegislature.gov/http://nebraskalegislature.gov/

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BILL WOULD HAVE HIT PRIVATE SCHOOLSWITH COSTS

NON-PROFIT ORG.US POSTAGE PAID

LINCOLN, NEPERMIT NO 985

NEBRASKA FEDERATION OF CATHOLIC SCHOOL PARENTS

Identity Unity Collaboration Empowerment

Nebraska Catholic Conference Affiliate

PO Box 94872Lincoln NE 68509-4872

Under longstanding Nebraska law,retail purchases by private, parochial and

denominational elementary and secondaryschools are exempt from state and local-option sales and use taxes. LegislativeBill 405proposed to terminate this ex-emption, as well as many others, includ-ing a similar one available to churchesand religious organizations. In essence,LB 405 would have caused churches andprivate, parochial and denominationalschools to incur the cost of sales tax onall retail purchases other than unpreparedfood. The other major element of LB 405was its proposal to use the expanded

sales-

tax base as an offset for repealingthe state income taxes.The Nebraska Catholic Conference,

which represents the mutual interests andconcerns of the three Diocesan Bishops,presented testimony to the LegislaturesRevenue Committee in opposition to LB405. NCC pointed out that LB 405, ifenacted, would have shattered a publictrust that has existed since the NebraskaRevenue Act was first enacted in 1967.

In recognition of providing an alternativeto governmentally operated and funded

schools, thereby saving taxpayers hun-dreds of millions of dollars in costs forpublic education, privately operatedschools are relieved of the financial bur-den of the sales tax. In response to LB405, several Catholic schools aroundthe state calculated an annual cost ofseveral thousand dollars. The finan-cial impact would be especially harshin terms of material costs for con-struction and renovation projects.

LB 405 also smacked of unfair-ness: purchases by public school

districts, also exempt now, wouldhave continued to be exempt. In oth-er words, the legislation proposed tomake private schools pay sales tax onpurchases made to carry out the sameessential educational function as pub-lic schools, which would continue tobe tax-exempt.

LB 405 was indefinitely post-poned by the Revenue Committee.However, the issues it raised sparked

Total Nebraska SchoolsPre-K-12 1,270Government-Operated Schools 1,044Private Schools 226Catholic Schools 118

Nebraska EnrollmentPre-K-12 339,382Public School Students 272,479

Private School Students 37,547Catholic School Students 29,356

Catholic Schools Significant Role

Omaha Archdiocese58 Elementary

18 High Schools

Lincoln Diocese27 Elementary6 High Schools

Grand Island Diocese6 Elementary

3 High Schools

Source: Nebraska Department ofEducation: Archdiocese ofOmaha, Diocese of Lincoln,Diocese of Grand Island

Parent Advocate http://nebcathcon.org/education_issues.htm202020NFCSP

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an initiative to make taxation the subjectof a special study committee of the Leg-

islature, to be known as the Tax Mod-ernization Committee. That idea isnow contained in LB 613, which is like-ly to be enacted. Exemptions will nodoubt be included in the study.