Catholic official troubled by Florida court ruling against vouchers

Published: 2004-08-20

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A Florida appeals court ruling that called one of the state's school voucher programs unconstitutional could impact much more than school programs, according to a Catholic official. The Aug. 16 ruling is "potentially very pervasive and has us very concerned," said Larry Keough, associate director for education with the Florida Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state's Catholic bishops. The 2-to-1 decision by the 1st District Court of Appeals in Tallahassee said Florida's Opportunity Scholarships, in place since 1999, violate the state's constitution because they give public tax dollars to religious institutions. Florida, along with more than 30 other states, bans the use of state money for religious institutions because of Blaine amendments in their state constitutions. The voucher program, one of three in the state, has allowed students in failing public schools to attend other public or private schools. About half of the vouchers, each worth $4,241, are used at religious-based schools and half at other private schools. Last year about 640 students used these vouchers.

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