NCHEA Members, Support Group Leaders, Home Education and Parental Rights Supporters:

I am writing to request that you pass on the following information and requests.

You may have heard that Governor Dave Heineman told the more than 600 in attendance at the NCHEA’s Legislative Day that he would veto LB 1141 if it arrived on his desk. While we appreciate and are grateful for the Governor’s support, we must continue to fight to defeat LB 1141 in the Education Committee and if it comes before full Legislature because even governor vetoes can be overridden. The NCHEA’s position is that LB 1141 is not acceptable in any form. We also must be vigilant that parts or all of LB 1141 not be incorporated into other education bills as amendments.

Additional action on your part is necessary prior to the hearing on LB 1141 on February 26, 2008. The NCHEA will be sending an Alert early next week on the next steps to take in this battle for parental rights and home education freedom.

The NCHEA has, is and will incur significant expenses in its efforts to defeat LB 1141. The NCHEA is bringing in Dr. Brian Ray of the National Home Education Research Institute to present expert testimony at the Legislative Hearing on February 26, 2008. The NCHEA will be presenting testimony and is coordinating additional testimony for the hearing.

The NCHEA has been asked if the NCHEA would accept financial contributions/donations to assist in the NCHEA’s legislative efforts. The answer is YES!! We would be extremely grateful for your financial contributions/donations. Contributions/donations are not tax deductible. They can be made on the NCHEA’s web site: www.nchea.org. If you desire to use a check, please make checks payable to the NCHEA, in the memo field write Legislative, and mail the check to the NCHEA at P.O. Box 57041, Lincoln, NE 68505-7041.

The NCHEA has placed following documents on its web site: www.nchea.org for your use in the battle to defeat LB 1141. The documents can be reached by clinking on the link titled Legislative Day Packet (http://www.nchea.org/events/LegislativeDay/index.cfm)

NCHEA Key Concerns with LB 1141 – are the talking points for defeat of LB 1141. (http://www.nchea.org/events/LegislativeDay/NCHEA%20LB%201141%20Message%20Points.pdf)

Contacting Your Senator – Discusses how to contact your senator and his/her staff and make your points. (http://www.nchea.org/events/LegislativeDay/ContactingYourSenator.pdf)

Letters to the Editor – Discusses how to write responses to editorials and letters to the editor. (http://www.nchea.org/events/LegislativeDay/LettersToTheEditor.pdf)

Education Excellence in Nebraska – Answers some frequently asked questions about home education. (http://www.nchea.org/events/LegislativeDay/Home%20Education%20FAQ.pdf)

A Historical Perspective on Home Education and Parental Rights in Nebraska – Discusses the costs and sacrifices paid to obtain our current homeschooling freedom. (http://www.nchea.org/events/LegislativeDay/Home%20Education%20History.pdf)

It is important that you periodically check the NCHEA’s web site: www.nchea.org. for additional details and action going forward.

The NCHEA would like to track how senators intend to vote on LB 1141 in order to efficiently direct our/your efforts/phone calls to defeat LB 1141 to senators who have not committed to vote against LB 1141. To assist us, please send the NCHEA copies of letters or e-mails you receive from senators in response to your requests for their position on LB 1141. Please send these e-mails to nchea@nchea.net. The NCHEA will send a thank you to senators who have indicated they intend to vote against LB 1141.

The NCHEA is encouraging Nebraska pastors, youth pastors and youth workers to join in the effort to defeat LB1141. We are asking our members to contact their pastors and ask them if they would be willing to write a letter to their senator in support of homeschooling and to express opposition to LB1141. If you know of any pastors who would be willing to write such a letter, please send their names and email addresses to Board@OmahaHEN.org, and who will send them the basic information regarding the bill, along with contact information for Nebraska senators and members of the Education Committee. Please ask them to type the words “Pastor Information” in the subject line.

The Home Educators Network (HEN-Omaha) has prepared a document of “Teen Action Suggestions” for homeschooled teens who would like to have a voice in defeating LB1141, along with one for homeschool graduates who would also like to be involved. To request either of these documents, please email Board@OmahaHEN.org and list “Teen Suggestions” or “Graduate Suggestions” in the subject line.

Respectfully,

Nick Lenzen, President
Nebraska Christian Home Educators Association (NCHEA)
P. 0. Box 57041
Lincoln, NE 68505-7041
www.nchea.org
nchea@nchea.net