U.S Supreme Court Rules in Favor of School Choice
from Pamela Benigno at the Independence Institute
Today, in a long-awaited ruling on state Blaine Amendments related to school choice programs, the U.S. Supreme Court, cited the Independence Institute in a landmark 5-4 favorable ruling in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue.
The Independence Institute filed the amicus brief to offer the Court evidence of how the drafters and ratifiers of both the Colorado and Montana constitutions used the term "sectarian" to discriminate against disfavored religious beliefs. Justice Alito’s concurring opinion cited the Independence Institute brief, and also cited the scholarship of Robert G. Natelson, Director of the Independence Institute's Constitutional Studies Center.
There are 37 states that have Blaine language (no-aid provisions) in their state constitutions, including Colorado. Montana's "no aid" provision was applied incorrectly against the Montana scholarship program and violated the U.S. Constitution's Free Exercise Clause. The majority opinion, by Chief Justice John Roberts, wrote: "this Court has repeatedly upheld government programs that spend taxpayer funds on equal aid to religious observers and organizations, particularly when the link between government and religion is attenuated by private choices."
In 2015, lawmakers in Montana passed a scholarship tax credit program that allowed for a state tax credit for private donations made to K-12 scholarship granting organizations. But regulators at the state’s department of revenue invoked the Montana constitution’s Blaine Amendment to bar scholarship recipients from using the scholarships at religious schools.
Three mothers, to send their children to religious private schools, legally challenged the Montana Department of Revenue rule. The Montana Supreme Court decided to end the program because it allowed parents to use their children's scholarships at religious schools.
The Independence Institute, since its founding in 1985, has actively supported Colorado private school choice efforts to empower parents to choose the best educational option for their children. Pamela Benigno, a long-time school choice advocate, and director of the Independence Institute's Education Policy Center said, "For more than three decades, the Independence Institute has held that Colorado's Blaine Clause should not preclude parents from choosing a religious school when participating in a school choice program. We are elated that the U.S. Supreme Court has finally settled the debate, in favor of parental choice."
The Independence Institute is a free market, non-partisan, non-profit public policy research organization based in Denver, Colorado.
For more information about the Independence Institiute, visit www.i2i.org
Call for Volunteers - 2020 Vail America Days Exhibit
We are looking forward to our only summer event on the Fourth of July. We are preparing for the Vail America Days 2020 with a theme of “Stronger Together”. We will need a lot of volunteers for this event.
Our purpose is to let people know more about the Eagle County GOP. The event will include a ball throw for the kids with a small prize for all. Also using the ”Stronger Together” theme, we will be placing stick figures on a map of America to show their home city.
Volunteers are required to wear masks. In addition, anyone touching the kid's games will be using a pair of gloves as they sanitize the balls between use and hand the ball back to the kid.
Our Republican candidates for County Commissioner, Jennifer Woolley and Tom Crisofulli, will be there to meet and greet. We will also need volunteers to help sign up people for the Eagle GOP email/volunteer list and to discuss our local issues such as the Vote on National Popular Vote.
Saturday Fourth of July in Vail:
7:30a – 10:00a Set-up 6 volunteers
10:00a - 12:00p Exhibit 6 volunteers
12:00p - 2:00p Exhibit 6 volunteers
2:00p - 4:00p Exhibit 6 volunteers
4:00p - 6:00p Exhibit plus take-down 6 volunteers
We would appreciate if everyone can consider wearing a white T-shirt, polo shirt, or dress shirt.
Our exhibit location is unknown at this time, but will be determined no later than Monday. Parking will be available in either of the Vail parking structures at no cost.
Please reply to this email to express your interest in helping with this event. All volunteers are welcome, just let us know what hours may work for you.
We are looking forward to a fun and safe Fourth of July!
For more information regarding the 2020 Vail America Days visit:
President Trump mentions @EagleCounty in Tweet recognizing $60.7M for Vail Pass
@POTUS/@realDonaldTrump
(click on text to open in Twitter)
Senator Gardner New Ad Highlighting
Hickenlooper Not Wanting to be a Senator
Good thing is - with your continued support, we will make sure that never happens.
Senator Gardner Secures Funding for I-70 in Eagle County
From Senator Cory Garner's Office
In a huge victory for commuters, recreationists, and Colorado’s economy, Senator Gardner today announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) is awarding I-70 in Eagle County, Colorado more than $60 million towards critical infrastructure priorities. Funding for this 10 mile stretch of I-70 is being disbursed through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program and is a direct result of his advocacy for our mountain communities.
Senator Gardner
“Interstate 70 is an important economic driver in our state, but I’ve heard from countless Coloradans who are frustrated with congestion, unsafe driving conditions, and frequent closures due to weather events,”said Senator Gardner. “That’s why I advocated for this funding to improve I-70 and am proud to have helped secure this grant of more than $60 million to improve the infrastructure that millions of Coloradans rely on. This funding will help facilitate improvements aimed at reducing the number of road closures and delays, making commutes more reliable and greatly improving the quality of life for the Western Slope.”