Blog from the Capital

Kentucky's state government will officially open a faith-based initiatives office Thursday with a conference and keynote address from White House faith-based Director Jay Hein. Louisville's Courier-Journal notes the ongoing controversy and concerns about constitutionality.

Kentucky already contracts with several faith-based providers for social services.

Its funding of one group, the Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children, has been challenged in a long-running federal lawsuit by plaintiffs who say the agency is using taxpayer money to promote its religion.
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The legislation creating the office says that providing funds to such organizations cannot violate federal or state constitutional provisions. It adds that such contractors cannot discriminate against beneficiaries of their social programs on the grounds of religion.