In a 5-4 decision, the US Supreme Court ruled today that Montana’s exclusion of religious schools from a state scholarship program funded by tax credits violates the US Constitution.
Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue is a huge win for advocates of school choice.
The law could topple Blaine Amendments in 37 states. Blaine Amendments were added to many state Constitutions to prohibit public funding for catholic schools. The amendments have also proven to be a major impediment to school choice.
The Court’s action is expected to clear the way for expanding choice programs nationwide.
North Carolina does not have a Blaine amendment. Still, the decision affirms the principle that religious schools cannot be excluded from state funding for private schools.
More on what the case means here.
Additional background on the Espinoza case here.
