The Wingnuttiest…
The Florida state constitution, like the constitutions of three-quarters of the states, has incorporated the language of the 19th century Blaine Amendment. The original purpose of the language was to ensure that no public money was used to pay for the “icky Catholic schools”. Since they didn’t want to say “icky Catholic schools”, they said:
“No State shall make any law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; and no money raised by taxation in any State for the support of public schools, or derived from any public fund therefor, nor any public lands devoted thereto, shall ever be under the control of any religious sect; nor shall any money so raised or lands so devoted be divided between religious sects or denominations.”
The sponsor was Republican Congresscritter James G. Blaine, but the initiative was started by Republican President US Grant in a speech to veterans. Grant thought public schools were a good thing and wanted them funded. [Oh, yes, the Catholic immigrants voted for Democrats, but that, of course had nothing to do with this.]
Fast forward to today, and you have Florida Legislature to take up public funds for religious institutions.
The Republican legislature of Florida hates public schools [which has nothing to do with the fact that teachers tend to vote Democratic] and wants everyone to have “choice” with vouchers. Alas, the only viable private schools in the state are religious and the Florida Supreme Court keeps throwing out voucher bills because of the Blaine language. [Which has nothing to do with the fact that the Catholic immigrants in Florida tend to vote Republican.]
It’s nice to know that the legislature has already solved all of the state’s problems and has time to play games… oh, wait, they haven’t solved anything.
