Religion & Law

Object Lesson

By John Pieret

The State of Louisiana doesn't have the best record on maintaining the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. The ACLU sued the state over:

... the constitutionality of a general appropriations measure, House Bill 1, which was signed into law in July 2007 by former Governor Kathleen Blanco. Among other things, the measure directed taxpayer earmarks in the amounts of $100,000 to one church in Bossier City and $20,000 to another church in Shreveport. The ACLU lawsuit initially covered those two grants and was later expanded to include an additional six earmarks to other houses of worship in Louisiana. The challenged grants were not subject to any oversight or competitive bidding process and the bill offered no purpose or justification for them.

... "fall within the core proscription of the Establishment Clause" of the First Amendment that protects religious liberty. Judge Vance also found that "these non-neutral, direct money grants of taxpayer funds to favored houses of worship are clearly unconstitutional."

This agreement restores important constitutional protections to Louisiana's infamous earmarking process. No longer will government officials be allowed use taxpayer dollars to fund their favorite churches," said Katie Schwartzmann, Legal Director of the ACLU of Louisiana. "And while we are gratified that the state agreed to end this practice, we will remain vigilant to ensure that Louisiana is held to its constitutional responsibilities."

Full post as published by Thoughts in a Haystack on January 18, 2009 (boomark / email).