Universal vouchers in Ohio trigger increase in private school tuition.
It is no secret that tuition costs in private schools are increasing in response to the universal voucher enactment. Parents who were paying tuition can now receive a tax subsidy (voucher) which incentivizes private schools to increase tuition. About 90% of the private school enrollment is in religious private schools. Hence, Ohio law requires tax-paying citizens to contribute to religious institutions, contrary to the constitutional rights of each citizen.
First Amendment, U.S. Constitution:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”
Ohio legislators and governors violated the First Amendment when legislation was enacted to appropriate tax funds to fund private religious schools.
Article I, section 7, Ohio Constitution:
“All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience. No person shall be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship, or maintain any form of worship, against his consent; and no preference shall be given, by law, to any religious society; nor shall any interference with the rights of conscience be permitted. No religious test shall be required, as a qualification for office, nor shall any person be 2 The Constitution of the State of Ohio incompetent to be a witness on account of his religious belief; but nothing herein shall be construed to dispense with oaths and affirmations. Religion, morality, and knowledge, however, being essential to good government, it shall be the duty of the General Assembly to pass suitable laws, to protect every religious denomination in the peaceable enjoyment of its own mode of public worship, and to encourage schools and the means of instruction. “
There is no accountability to the public as to how voucher funds are spent.
Article VI, section 2, Ohio Constitution:
“The General Assembly shall make such provisions, by taxation, or otherwise, as, with the income arising from the school trust fund, will secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools throughout the State; but, no religious or other sect, or sects, shall ever have any exclusive right to, or control of, any part of the school funds of this State”
Religious institutions shall have no control over any part of the school funds of Ohio.
The EdChoice voucher scheme is patently unconstitutional.
Learn about EdChoice Vouchers: An Existential Threat to Public Schools
https://vouchershurtohio.com/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
VOUCHERS HURT OHIO
