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Bush Brothers Funding to Religious Schools Hits Roadblock

Court: Taxpayers Mustn't Support Church-Based Education

Judge Kevin Davey: Vouchers Violate the State Constitution

Compiled by GayToday
Americans United

Gov. Jeb Bush: Hello, I'm calling to take your public school funds ...

Tallahassee, Florida--In a closely watched case with national significance, a Florida court ruled yesterday that voucher aid to religious schools violates the Florida state constitution.

Circuit Judge P. Kevin Davey of Tallahassee ruled that the constitution is "clear and unambiguous" in preventing tax support for sectarian institutions, including religious schools. A state program that pays for tuition for some students at religious schools violates that mandate, Davey ruled in Holmes v. Bush.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State and allied organizations brought the challenge to the Florida program, which was initiated by Gov. Jeb Bush. Bush and his brother, President George W. Bush, are strong advocates of voucher schemes that benefit private education.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court held that voucher programs that aid religious schools do not violate the church-state provisions of the U.S. Constitution. However, over two thirds of the states have state constitutions that are more explicit in their prohibition of tax support for religion.

Article 1, Section 3 of Florida's state constitution, for example, says, "No revenue of the state or any political subdivision or agency thereof shall ever be taken from the public treasury directly or indirectly in aid of any church, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any sectarian institution."

The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said the decision will have national implications.

"The Florida court's decision shows that the battle over vouchers is far from over," Lynn said. "I expect to see similar decisions against vouchers in state courts around the country.

"The Bush brothers' plan to funnel funds to religious schools just ran into a major roadblock," Lynn added.

Mr. Bush: This is the story of how the church got richer

Lynn noted that voucher programs are unpopular with most Americans. In ballot referenda in 2000 voters from every racial, religious, socio-economic and political group voted against giving tax aid to religious schools.

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