THE CONTINUING BATTLE FOR SCHOOL VOUCHERS
HERE'S A GOOD ARTICLE FROM SLATE on the brewing battle over "Blaine amendments" in the majority of U.S. state constitutions, which impose "seemingly ironclad prohibitions on state aid to sectarian schools." The original intent of these constitutional provisions was aimed at the rising Catholic immigration of the 1870's, but these provisions prevent any state funds going towards religious schools today. This is counter to the U.S. Supreme Court's doctrine, which was reaffirmed this summer when the Court ruled the Cleveland school voucher program to be constitutional, even though 90% of the voucher money was used towards religious school tuition.