When Can State Tax Dollars Go to Church-Run Programs?

Stateline: Do state laws that prevent taxpayer dollars from aiding churches automatically exclude religious institutions from all state programs — even if it’s one to resurface a playground at a day care center?

In answering that question, the U.S. Supreme Court could put states in the position of spending public money for services provided by churches or other religious organizations despite their own constitutional bans on the practice. Or, many states fear, it could jeopardize a multitude of programs, in which state and local governments provide tax dollars to religious groups via school vouchers or through payments for social services.

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