April 5, 2011
Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that Arizona taxpayers do not have the “standing” necessary to challenge the state’s tuition assistance program. Under the program, taxpayers can direct up to $1000 (for couples) of their tax payment to support private schools.
Among the largest beneficiaries of the program are the state’s Catholic schools. While the ruling is narrow, the local effect is that the program should continue well into the future. Meanwhile, church-state separatists are not happy with the decision, written by associate justice Anthony Kennedy with a dissent from the court’s newest member, Elena Kagan.
