Group Says Tax Credit Is Unconstitutional

A group claimed Wednesday that an initiative that would give parents a $500 tax credit for home-schooling or sending children to parochial or private schools is clearly unconstitutional, no matter what Attorney General Alan Lance says.

“The proposed tax credit, if adopted, would clearly violate the church-state separation provisions of the U.S. and Idaho constitutions,” said Steven Green.

He’s an attorney for Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The Idaho chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union joined in claiming the initiative is unconstitutional.

The Idaho Citizens Alliance sponsored an initiative that must generate 41,335 signatures from registered voters to qualify for next year’s general election ballot.

Sponsors say it will aid public schools by encouraging parents to use private schools, relieving overcrowding.