Media Mentions
Catholic News Service
Court unsure of Maine tuition program that excludes religious schools
December 08, 2021
Catholic News Service — The Religious Liberty Initiative of Notre Dame Law School filed an amicus brief in this Maine case on behalf of elementary and secondary schools from three faith traditions — Catholic (Partnership for Inner-City Education), Islamic (Council of Islamic Schools in North America), and Jewish (National Council of Young Israel).
SCOTUS and Religious Schools in Carson v. Makin
December 08, 2021
National Review — This morning the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Carson v. Makin. Based on the justices’ questions and comments, it is hard to see how the decision turns out to be anything other than another win for advocates of religious liberty and school choice.
The case that could breach the wall between church and state
December 07, 2021
Christian Science Monitor — On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in their namesake case, Carson v. Makin, in which Ms. Carson and her husband joined other Maine families to sue the state’s Department of Education. They argue that by excluding religious schools like Bangor, the state of Maine violated the United States Constitution, unfairly discriminating against religious parents like them.
Correcting Maine’s Error
December 07, 2021
City Journal — In Carson v. Makin, the Supreme Court has a chance to reaffirm that the Constitution does not permit discrimination against faith-based schools.
Los Angeles Times
Supreme Court poised to further open the door for taxpayer funding of religious schools
December 07, 2021
Los Angeles Times — After imposing a strict church-state separation for decades, the Supreme Court appears poised to allow — and in some cases even require — more government funding of church-run schools.
National Catholic Register
Will the Supreme Court Finally End Discrimination Based on Religion in School Choice Programs?
December 06, 2021
National Catholic Register — The Supreme Court is set to hear oral argument Wednesday in Carson v. Makin, an important religious-freedom case involving Maine’s tuition-assistance program for rural students. At the moment, it discriminates against Catholic and other Christian parents. The court — much to the indignation of progressive lobbyists — may put an end to that.
Newsweek
States Must Stop Discriminating Against Religious Schools
November 30, 2021
Newsweek — The last 18 months have reminded us that, when it comes to educating young people, one size most definitely does not fit all. Pluralism and diversity, not sameness or monopoly, make for a successful schooling enterprise. And, today as in the past, religious schools play a vital role in the project of preparing the citizens and leaders of tomorrow.
Opinion: Those condemned to die deserve religious liberty too
November 09, 2021
Houston Chronicle — In 2004, John Henry Ramirez stabbed to death a convenience store clerk and robbed him of $1.25 — a murder for which the state of Texas sentenced Ramirez to die. Seventeen years later, as Ramirez awaits that punishment, he finds himself before the Supreme Court asking not for his physical freedom or even for his life but instead for the simple right to have his pastor pray over him — vocally and with physical contact — during his final moments in the execution chamber.
Garnett: Empowering Parents With More and Better Schools — Guidelines for Expanding Private School Choice Programs, and Making Them Accountable
October 21, 2021
The 74 — In December, the Supreme Court will finally resolve whether the First Amendment prohibits the government from excluding religious schools from private school choice programs. If the plaintiffs prevail, the decision in Carson v. Makin will render toothless many state Blaine Amendments, clearing the way for an even more dramatic expansion of choice throughout the nation.
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Catholic News Service
Court to hear case on religious schools barred from Maine choice program
September 15, 2021
Catholic News Service — On Sept. 10, the Notre Dame Law School Religious Liberty Initiative filed an amicus brief on behalf of elementary and secondary schools from three faith traditions -- Catholic, Muslim and Jewish -- in support of the Maine parents.