Florida Governor Rick Scott (R) has not shied from introducing religion into the public sphere, most recently implementing a state law that would allow students to offer “inspirational messages” during all nonmandatory school events. Now, however, his state may go further — by excising any restrictions on financing churches and their affiliated institutions.That’s the contention of a proposed amendment on the state’s upcoming November ballot. Amendment 8 would overwrite the Blaine Amendment, named after a 19th-century Speaker of the House James Blaine, who attempted to pass a federal amendment blocking the use of funds for “sectarian” schools. Florida’s Blaine Amendment, similar to language found in nearly 40 other states, reads, “No revenue of the state or any political subdivision or agency thereof shall ever be taken from the public treasury directly or indirectly in aid of any church, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any sectarian institution.”
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=96606