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February
28, 2007 Supreme Court Hears Taxpayer Challenge to Faith-Based InitiativeThe Supreme Court heard arguments earlier today in a seemingly narrow case with potentially broad implications for the right of citizens to challenge the federal government over issues concerning church and state. The matter before the Court in Hein v. Freedom From Religion Foundation is focused on a technical issue -- whether taxpayers have "standing to sue" in challenging general expenditures by executive branch officials in support of religion. But the outcome of the case could have significant consequences for future religion-related lawsuits brought by individuals and civil liberties groups against the government. Hein is the first case targeting President Bush's Faith-Based and Community Initiative to reach the Supreme Court, and it occasions the first time that Supreme Court Justices Roberts and Alito will issue opinions on a matter concerning the First Amendment's religion clauses. Along with its bearing for the Faith-Based Initiative, the outcome of the case could affect whether future lawsuits may be brought on such high-profile issues as religious displays in public places. Click here for more on the story by Roundtable Washington Correspondent Anne Farris. The Roundtable has compiled a Resource Page on the case, which includes: links to analyses by our legal experts; original stories and interviews; and documents filed by parties in the case as well as those with an interest in its outcome, such as civil liberties groups and states with their own faith-based and community initiatives. Click here to access the Resource Page. |