A judge is expected to rule within 30 days whether Indiana’s new school voucher program violates the state constitution.The program allows income-eligible parents of public school students to use taxpayer funds to send their children to private schools.Marion County Superior Court Judge Michael Keele heard arguments today in a suit backed by the Indiana State Teachers Association. It claims that the law violates the state constitutional by allowing public funds to be sent to religious institutions.Voucher supporters say the program is legal because parents, and not the state, decide where the money will be spent. They liken the program to using state-funded scholarships at religious colleges.Keele denied a request to shut down the voucher program in August.The law was approved by the Republican-led 2011 General Assembly.(Information for this story came from the Associated Press)
Rick Howlett is host of WFPL's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." Email Rick at rhowlett@lpm.org.
