By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-977843.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – A legal challenge is brewing to kick a constitutional amendment off the November 2012 ballot. The Florida legislature wants repeal a section of the state's constitution blocking taxpayer dollars from going to religious organizations, but Lynn Hatter reports that other groups say it should stay in place.
Florida has been giving taxpayer dollars to religiously-backed groups for decades, despite the provision in the state's constitution that bans it. That provision is called the Blaine amendment, and was used to strike down a school voucher law in 2004. The Florida ACLU supports the current language and spokesman Derek Newton says legislature's provision to repeal it may be heading to court soon.
"As a matter of fact I know that several organizations and people are looking at a legal challenge to this issue."
Supporters of repealing the Blaine Amendment say it should go because it discriminates against religious groups.