The U.S. Supreme Court is being asked to decide the fate of Douglas County's school voucher program, which could give religious schools access to public money.
Earlier this summer, Colorado’s state Supreme Court ruled the county's pilot program unconstitutional because the vast majority of vouchers would be used to help students attend religious schools -- something banned by the Colorado Constitution. (Download and read the ruling here.)
On Wednesday, Douglas County school officials announced they will appeal the lower court's ruling. They argue that the amendment blocking public money from going to religious schools has its roots in anti-Catholic bigotry and violates the U.S. Constitution. Paul Clement, the Solicitor General of the United States from June 2005 until June 2008, during the George W. Bush administration, will argue the case before the high court.
Colorado’s Attorney General also intends to ask the Supreme Court to strike down the state amendment, but isn’t ready to comment on the case.
