Live Oak —
The Suwannee County School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to oppose a proposed amendment to Florida’s Constitution that would allow state funds to be used for religious purposes.
During the past legislative session, legislators passed HJR 1471, later known as Amendment 8, or the “religious freedom” provision. It will go before voters on the Nov. 6 general ballot.
According to School Board member Ed daSilva, the Florida Legislature encouraged school boards to come to some sort of agreement on Amendment 8. In response, the School Board drafted a resolution in opposition to the amendment which was agreed upon by each board member.
The School Board joins with the board of directors of the Florida School Boards Association and other school boards around the state which have opposed the measure.
If approved by voters, Amendment 8 would amend the Florida Constitution by deleting a portion of Article I, Section 3 that prohibits the state from subsidizing, directly or indirectly, financial aid of any church, sect, or religious denomination and replacing it with a provision that states that neither the government nor any agent of the government may deny to any church, sect or religious denomination the benefits of any program, funding, or other support on the basis of religious identity or belief.
Opponents say this could lead the way for more private school voucher programs, which could take away funding from public schools.
Proponents state that religious organizations shouldn’t be discriminated against if seeking state-funded social services programs, such as receiving aid to help victims with disasters.
Home
September 27, 2012
School board opposes Amendment 8
Measure could allow state funds to be used for religious purposes
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