Religious Spending Amendment Up For Vote
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami.com) -- A proposed constitutional amendment that would repeal Florida's ban on state aid to churches and other religious organizations faces a final vote in the Senate Friday.
If the measure doesn't pass Friday, it will be dead until next year's session at the earliest.
The bill's supporters said the amendment will lift the threat of lawsuits that can challenge school voucher programs that send disabled and low-income children to religious and other private schools at taxpayer expense.
Opponents said the existing ban does not prevent that spending now, as long as the money isn't spent advancing a religious purpose.
The House passed the amendment already, and if it passes the Senate, it will then be placed on the November 2012 ballot.
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