Tuition vouchers are unconstitutional

The continuing battle over taxpayer-funded tuition vouchers, fueled by wealthy out-of-state billionaires, has become a distraction from more important political action items, including developing the commonwealth's economy, creating new jobs, and continuing the underreported academic progress made by public schools in recent years.

Taxpayer-funded tuition vouchers are unconstitutional in the commonwealth, unwanted by the public, unproven in promoting student achievement, untimely in a shrinking economy, and unaccountable to the public in governance, finance, and academic results. The only real choice is the schools, who determine whether they do or do not admit students.

Under the Pennsylvania Constitution, which is more restrictive than the U.S. Constitution and that of most states, "No money raised for the support of the public schools of the Commonwealth shall be appropriated to or used for the support of any sectarian school." The Sloan vs. Lemon case specifically adjudged a similar program as unconstitutional.

More practically, vouchers will be a controversial issue when state funds support the teaching of witchcraft (as a proposed California voucher bill permitted but was voted down). The fiscal support of taxpayers for schools developing extremist views is certainly an item that would have to be considered in the voucher system.
http://pottsmerc.com/articles/2011/08/19/opinion/srv0000013207957.txt