BJC comments on recent Florida school voucher decision

By K. Hollyn Hollman

January 6, 2006

We filed an amicus brief against the Florida school voucher program based on the state's "no-aid" to religion provision, which protects religious liberty. Though the Florida Supreme Court's decision was not decided on the "no aid" to religion provision that prompted our involvement, we welcome the court's decision. The decision strikes a voucher program that allows tax money to fund religious teaching. Maybe this decision will discourage other such proposals.

The decision illustrates an important reminder to voucher proponents: state constitutions often pose an additional hurdle to vouchers, beyond that of the federal Establishment Clause. The state's uniform public schools provision, just like the state's "no-aid" to religion provision that protects religious liberty, has to be followed.

The BJC opposes voucher programs because they tend to promote government sponsorship of religion, which threatens religious liberty. We want more voluntary religion, not tax-funded religion, which always comes with government strings attached.