Supreme Court Rules In Favor of Religious Schools, Says Aid Bans Are Unconstitutional

June 30, 2020

The Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision on Tuesday morning that Montana’s ban on religious schools receiving state aid — specifically scholarship funds — is illegal and that it’s unconstitutional for states to exclude religious schools from such programs.

#SCOTUS rules 5-4 that Montana’s exclusion of religious schools from state scholarship program funded by tax credits violates federal Constitution

— SCOTUSblog (@SCOTUSblog) June 30, 2020

According to the Wall Street Journal, the Montana program offered $150 in tax credits for donations to scholarships for private school attendees. After a decision was made by state tax officials that religious institutions didn’t qualify, the case was heard by the Montana Supreme Court. The court cited a state amendment banning aid to sectarian schools and decided to dismantle the entire program.

The ruling will make it easier for religious schools to obtain aid — opening the door to more school choice policies, potentially including the funding of vouchers.

The case was appealed to the Supreme Court by parents suing for aid to assist in paying for their children’s religious private school education.

The case, Espinoza v. Montana Department Of Revenue, saw conservative justices in the majority and Chief Justice John Roberts penned the opinion. The ruling will make it easier for religious schools to obtain aid — opening the door to more school choice policies, potentially including the funding of vouchers.

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