An update from the Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy, an independent research project
of the Rockefeller Institute of Government. The public policy research arm of the State University of New York.

New! Court: Florida Voters Should Decide on Amendments to Allow Vouchers

Florida voters should decide the fate of two suggested amendments to the state’s Constitution that would
open the door to school voucher programs, despite the objections of educators’ associations and church-
state separation groups that challenged the proposals in court, a judge ruled Aug. 4. Leon County Circuit
Judge John C. Cooper dismissed the plaintiffs’ complaints that a special commission went beyond its authority
in proposing the two amendments and that the ballot language for one of the amendments was misleading.
The ballot initiatives in question fell within the purview of Florida’s Taxation and Budget Reform Commission,
because they involved matters that broadly affected the state’s budget process, even if they also concerned
religious freedom and public education, the judge found.

The challenged proposals involve two provisions in the Florida Constitution that courts previously cited in
striking down a controversial school voucher program heralded by former Gov. Jeb Bush. Proponents of the
voucher program have said it would improve schools by stimulating competition. Education groups have
opposed the program for its potential to siphon resources away from public schools.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Correspondent Claire Hughes.

Click here for a Roundtable Resource Page on Vouchers and Indirect Financing of Faith-Based
Social Services.

Watch upcoming newsletters for features on the Bush Administration’s promotion of voucher programs as a
way to advance its Faith-Based and Community Initiative.

New! Religious Leaders to Prez Candidates: Put Poverty in Primetime

An interfaith coalition of prominent religious leaders has written to Senators Barack Obama and John
McCain, calling for the presidential hopefuls to ensure that poverty is an issue addressed in a primetime
speech during each of their parties’ nominating conventions. The coalition of nine leaders from the Christian,
Jewish and Muslim faiths has also asked that the candidates each present a comprehensive plan to
address poverty over the next decade. The religious traditions share a common concern for the hungry and
poor, they said, writing: “Everyday, faith organizations serve individuals in need within our communities. But
our efforts to sustain our brothers and sisters living in poverty must be complemented with a serious plan
from our political leaders to reduce the number of needy.” Faith leaders signing the letter were: Rev. Richard
Cizik of the National Association of Evangelicals, Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed of the Islamic Society of North
America, Rev. Jim Wallis of Sojourners, Rabbi Steve Gutow of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Father
Larry Snyder of Catholic Charities USA, Rabbi David Saperstein of the Religious Action Center for Reform
Judaism, Dr. Rev. Michael Kinnamon of the National Council of Churches, Rev. David Beckmann of Bread
for the World, and Dr. Eboo Patel of Interfaith Youth Core.

Campaign officials were unable to respond by press time as to whether the candidates would consider the
faith coalition’s request.

Click here to read a press release and the July 29 letter.

Weekly Digest of Federal Grants with Faith-Based and Community
Organization Eligibility

The grant opportunities this week for community and faith-based organizations are through programs
administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Agency for
International Development.

Potential applicants should be aware that some grant programs require specific technical expertise,
or experience in particular foreign countries.

Click here for the grants digest.

Roundtable Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories

Proposed Clinic Gets $200,000 Gift; Uninsured Workers to be Focus of Services
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8636

Florida Still Central to School-Voucher Fight
Orlando Sentinel

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8622

Mercy Ministries Has High Success Rate
The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8623

Students at Religious College to Get State Scholarships
Berny Morson

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8624

Matthew 25 Ministries; Providing Second Chances
Daily Press (Newport News, Virginia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8626

Court System Allows Choice Of Jail Or Faith-Based Program;Mission To Succeed
Ventura County Star (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8627

Workers' Religious Freedom Vs. Patients' Rights
Washington Post

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8635

Church-Paid Trips by Aides Raise Questions on Religion-Politics Mix
The Hill

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8625

McCain, Obama Urged To Make Poverty A Priority
Ethics Daily

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8629

Gathering Calls For 'Fair and Humane' Immigration Policies
National Catholic Reporter

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8630

New Job Has Same Focus: Kids, Families
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8631

LRA Approves Mortgage Subsidy; It Also Urges New Rules on Home Appraisals
The Times-Picuyne

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8632

Program Readied To Help Home Buyers; LRA Set To OK Plan for Soft Mortgages
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8633

Work Camp Offers Help To Those In Need
Zanesville Times-Recorder (Ohio)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8634

Opportunities Industrialization Center of Broward County Selected
National Honor of ‘Hope Awardee’ Representing State Of Florida
Westside Gazette

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8628

Sanctuary Church Movement Could Come To Tucson
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8621

Weekly Opinion Roundup - 8/5/2008
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/news_opinion_8_5_08.cfm