NPR

Supreme Court Considers Religious Schools Case

For the first time, the high court will rule on "no-aid" state constitutional provisions that conservative religious groups and school-choice advocates have long sought to invalidate.
Kendra Espinoza, the lead plaintiff in the case, has two daughters attending the Stillwater Christian School in Kalispell, Mont. She is an office manager and staff accountant, who works extra jobs in order to pay for her children's tuition.

The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments Wednesday in a major case that could dramatically alter the line separating church and state.

At issue is a Montana state constitutional amendment that bars direct and indirect taxpayer aid to religious institutions. Conservative religious groups and advocates of school choice are challenging the "no-aid" provision.

They have long sought to invalidate state constitutional amendments that prohibit taxpayer funding from going to religious schools. Given that Montana is one of 38 states with a "no-aid" provision, the court's eventual decision could have far-reaching consequences.

The case began in 2015 when the Montana legislature passed a bill providing a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for

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