Court overturns block of Colo. school vouchers

Source: Associated Press

Court overturns block of Colo. school vouchers
Posted: 02/28/2013 12:32:36 PM MST
February 28, 2013 7:38 PM GMTUpdated: 02/28/2013 12:38:51 PM MSTBy STEVEN K. PAULSON Associated PressAssociated Press

DENVER—The Colorado Court of Appeals has overturned a lower court ruling blocking one of Colorado's first school voucher programs, saying Douglas County's Choice Scholarship Program does not violate the state Constitution.
The Douglas County program offered up to 500 students $4,575 in state funds for tuition at private schools, including religious schools.

Taxpayers for Public Education and other groups filed suit, saying the program violated the constitutional separation of church and state.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the American Civil Liberties Union, both parties to the lawsuit, said the ruling handed down Thursday will be appealed to the Colorado Supreme Court.

"This misguided decision fails to enforce the Colorado Constitution's strict prohibitions against public funding of religious education. It's clear that this voucher plan will funnel taxpayer money primarily into the coffers of religious schools," said Alex J. Luchenitser, associate legal director for Americans United.


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