Cut in school lobbyists pushed

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska schools that spend thousands of dollars on lobbyists have caught the attention of state lawmakers.

On Wednesday, state Sen. Bill Avery of Lincoln introduced a bill (LB741) that would prohibit schools from spending state tax dollars on lobbyists.

A decade ago, just four school districts hired lobbyists. By 2008, the number had grown to 13.

During 2008, the most recent year for which data are available, public schools in Nebraska spent more than $576,000 on lobbyists.

It is unclear how much of that money was state aid to schools as opposed to local tax dollars.

Lobbyists and school officials have said more red tape and state influence on local schools have made lobbyists necessary.

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