No action will be taken on a bill that addresses kids struggling to read.
The bill, LB 651, focused on reading proficiency, but it didn't get very far in the Nebraska Legislature Thursday after being met with ferocious backlash from some State Senators.
One provision in the bill was a sticking point for those opposed to it. That stipulation stated that if a child could not read by the third grade, they should be held back until their reading proficiency improves.
Senator Lynne Walz said that holding children back doesn't solve the problem or address the issues. "Identify the causes, and the underlying problems and find solutions that will truly make a difference. I'm not sure that third grade retention addresses any of those."
One of the bill's supporters, Senator Mike Groene was surprised it turned into a controversial issue. "We spend $3.2 billion on public education in this state, and that is too much to expect? That every child can read at the end of the third grade? Really?"
The bill all but died on the Unicameral floor after senators adjourned before a vote was taken.
In order to bring the bill back to the voting floor, there would have to be 33 confirmed votes in order to override a filibuster attempt promised by Sen. Ernie Chambers, who opposes the bill.