The Supreme Court has reversed the Ninth Circuit Court’s ruling in Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization v. Winn, which sought to end the Arizona Tuition Tax Credit Program.
The program allows individuals to receive tax credits of up to $500 ($1,000 for married couples) for contributions made to scholarship-granting organizations, which in turn provide vouchers to children to attend private schools of their choice. During the 2008 fiscal year, more than $54 million in scholarships was awarded to children through the tax credit program.
The Institute for Justice writes:
Today’s landmark decision declared that the plaintiffs in the case lack standing to bring the challenge in the first instance because the program is funded by private contributions, not government funds.
The Arizona Tuition Tax Credit Program has successfully provided school choice options to low- and middle-income students who would otherwise be relegated to schools that do not meet their needs. Matthew Ladner recently wrote about a 2010 Harvard report, authored by Vicki Murray of the Pacific Research Institute, which found that the tax credit program significantly expanded educational opportunities for children in Arizona:
Those who oppose parental choice often claim the tuition tax credit only benefits children from wealthy families. However, the Harvard analysis finds the median family income for students with tax credit scholarships was almost $5,000 lower than the statewide median family income. The median income of families with tuition scholarships was also almost $5,000 lower than the median incomes of their home neighborhoods, as estimated using student addresses and zip codes. …
Some may complain that family income limits for the corporate tax credit is too high, but compared to what? Remember, there are no limits on family income to attend public schools. No one blinks at the notion of the state paying for a public education for the children of billionaires.
Today’s decision by the Supreme Court punctuates a week of school choice victories for families across the country. On Wednesday, the Indiana House of Representatives passed a bill to create what could become the country’s most aggressive voucher program. That same day in Washington, D.C., a bill introduced by House Speaker John Boehner (R–OH) to reauthorize the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program passed through the House.
School choice—whether tuition tax credit programs, vouchers, virtual school, homeschooling, or the many other options offered across the country—ensures that families have access to an education that best meets their children’s needs. Today’s ruling ensures that Arizona children will continue to have access to school choice options in the Grand Canyon State.
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I must say after reading the NYT article on this ruling, which included excerpts from Justice Kagan's dissent, that her logic is flawed. She seems to try to compare the issue of deducting contributions to a 501(c)(3) organization with state subsidization of Jews and crucifixes. It would logically follow from her dissent that church contributions, be it Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, etc., are also "injurious" to taxpayers who don't subscribe to those faiths. Are these deductions therefore a violation of the establishment clause? Give me a break! Could I not challenge the lawfulness of deductible contributions to AARP, MediaMatters, NAACP, CAIR, etc. who illegally engage in political activity? She and her appointer, whom she practically worshipped before her appointment, are statists who cannot abide the state being excluded from commerce, charity, etc. and are especially hostile to one of our core liberties…religion, especially Christianity. There have been way too many close calls with this court. A Kennedy retirement, or passing, with Obama in office would be one more nail in the coffin of the Republic.
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Why doesn't the Obama Administration skip the pretense, just openly declare war on Arizona? Call it an unkinetic non military action, or something. I believe Socialization Indoctrination would be undermined by Vouchers or Home Schooling, so that is why the Progressives fight it tooth and nail! It has absolutely nothing to do with quality education or saving Public Schools! Nothing like that!
People don't know that our American Education System was changed into a Socialization System. They figured there was such a thing as a "Post Industrial Era" that American Students should be prepared for and not prepared to produce. Liberal Arts Education is just that, worthless Socialist tripe! Our people learn how to waste time and resources, reports that nobody reads, Overregulation means everybody can work in the Government (or in defense of it!)
Hooray! Arizona can do what it wants with Private Money! Wait a minute! What did we gain? It isn't that Obama's undeclared war with Arizona is over! Expect more of the same. Whoop te do! I am just thrilled!
I have to say though, every time they feel there is a victory it opens a door for us. Contacted my rep today about allowing the same for low income girls to receive abortions. I feel this tax rebate is a great idea for many situations with abortions just being one.
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