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! Florida Voters to Decide Whether to Alter Church-State Separation

A pair of proposed changes to Florida’s Constitution promise to open the door to increased state
public financing of religious service providers and, in particular, of parochial schools. Florida voters
will decide this year whether to remove an amendment to the state’s Constitution known as its
“no-aid provision” that currently prohibits taxpayers’ money from going to religious groups, and to
add new language that would prevent the state from using religion as a basis for excluding
organizations from offering public programs.

And a state commission will discuss later this week whether voters should also consider a
constitutional change that would expressly authorize public funding for private providers of health
care, education and other services.

The proposals come two years after a Florida Supreme Court struck down a school voucher program
that had been heralded by then-Gov. Jeb Bush. An intermediate level state court had relied on the no-
aid provision – also known as a Blaine Amendment – in striking down the voucher program, which
included religious schools. That provision prohibits public funding of religious entities. The state Supreme
Court did not address whether the voucher program violated the no-aid provision and instead ruled against
the Opportunity Scholarship Program as being in violation of the Florida Constitution’s so-called “education
provision,” which requires the state to provide a "uniform ... and high quality system of free public schools."
Together, the proposed constitutional changes would invalidate both provisions that blocked the voucher
program from going forward.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Correspondent Claire Hughes.

Click here for a roundup of other news stories on the issue.

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. Departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, Labor, and by 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 summary.

Roundtable Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories

Progress, Defiance in Evangelist Probe
Christian Post

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8047

Methuen church may share its land with affordable housing
The Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, Massachusetts)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8048

Care Net center helps moms-to-be face future: Faith-based facility on Triplett remodels offices for comfort
Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, Kentucky)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8049

Turning the Page; Amid Rancor Over The Homeless, Turlock Looks To Ideas That Are Succeeding In Modesto
Modesto Bee

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8050

A Friend's House: Abused, addicted, troubled women get support, training, tough love
The News-Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8051

Judge tosses faith-based funding lawsuit
courier-journal.com (Louisville, Kentucky)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8052

Dispute over Christian Science church heats up
Washington Business Journal (Washington DC)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8013

Support for ex-prisoners key to lower recidivism
The Montgomery Adviser

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8024

Strickland signs faith-based bill
Dayton Daily News

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8025

Chattanooga lays out welcome mat for refugees
Chattanooga Times and Free Press (Tennessee)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8018

Sent to prison, brought to God
Monterey County Herald (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8019

Many approaches in effort to cut homelessness; Annual count shows slight rise
The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8020

Classes help coordinate efforts after disasters
Sarasota Herald-Tribune (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8014

Web site offers help for the helpers
The Biloxi Sun Herald (Mississippi)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8015

Teachers, clergy meet to help at-risk students in first statewide conference
Daily Oklahoman

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8016

Faith based programs help addicts reclaim their lives
Scarborough Leader (Maine)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8021

Hope for homeless; Family Promise offers short-term help for those who hit bottom
Anchorage Daily News (Alaska)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8022

Religious groups asked to help parolees
San Bernardino County Sun (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8023

U.S. Labor Department's Center For Faith-Based And Community Initiatives Honors Work Of Spectrum Resources In Des Moines, Iowa
States News Service

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8037

Faith-based outreach program in Clovis celebrates anniversary
Freedom New Mexico

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8017

Many faithfully help environment; Local religious groups plan to support Earth Hour 2008
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8028

Nutter urged to reexamine homelessness in Phila.
The Philadelphia Inquirer

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8029

Religious leaders: Treat immigrants with dignity
DesMoines Register

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8030

Religious leaders lobby on illegal immigration issue
RadioIowa

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8031

Kennebec County Religious Programs Sought for Jail; Secular counseling options would also be available
Kennebec Journal (Maine)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8026

Technical training focus of proposal by governor; Plan would replace Department of Labor
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8027

First of two voucher amendments approved for November ballot
The Associated Press State & Local Wire

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8042

Needless Amendment In Search of a Problem; Our Opinion: Reject Proposals That Threaten Church-State Separation
The Miami Herald

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8043

Prison chaplain on leave pending state investigation
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8035

Bill would let inmates do public service work for churches
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8036

Foreclosure worries affect local food banks differently
The Bakersfield Californian

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8032

New shelter nearly ready; Street Reach's Osceola building doubles capacity to aid homeless
The Myrtle Beach Sun-News (South Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8033

Funding for Prison Ministries, treatment programs may be cut
The Bradenton Herald (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8034

Weekly Opinion Roundup - 4/1/2008
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/news_opinion_4_1_08.cfm