Christ First Forum

Bob Kellogg - OneNewsNow - 9/18/2011 3:35:00 AM

Two Oklahoma school districts say the law that provides public funds to send special-needs students to private schools is unconstitutional.

The lawsuit is challenging the constitutionality of the public funded scholarships. Defense Attorney Eric Kniffin of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty says the constitutionality of the program is not what is at issue.

“It's quiet clear that what really is at issue here is money -- and it's unfortunate that schools districts seem to care more about their money than helping the parents of special-needs children,” says the attorney.

Kniffin explains that Oklahoma's Blaine Amendment is being cited by the plaintiffs, but he claims that it does not apply when it comes to scholarships and vouchers.

“Blaine Amendments are consistently used to deny government funding to religious organizations, even though they carry out important secular objectives, but whether it's after-school programs for troubled youth or helping develop job skills or caring for special needs kids, they're denied funding simply because they're religious,” explains Kniffin.

He notes that less than $200,000 has been given out for these scholarships, which is less than the annual salary of either of the two superintendents who are bringing the lawsuit.

http://onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=1436052