LINCOLN, Neb. —

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order Monday to opt into a federal tax credit program, which could see the return of school choice after voters resoundingly rejected it on the November 2024 ballot.

"I am not opting this in," Pillen said. "I am cannon-balling it in for the state of Nebraska."

Applause answered the governor from a crowd of teachers and students assembled in the gymnasium of Lincoln's St. Teresa Catholic School.

"We have to have great public schools," Pillen said. "We have to have great Teresas. And because of this legislation, both can win."

With Pillen's pen stroke, Nebraska will take part in the program that will start under the One Big Beautiful Bill in 2027. Donors will be able to receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit up to $1,7

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