Voucher legislation also advancing through Senate

A hearing for Senate Joint Resolution 47, which would change the Missouri Constitution to permit taxpayer money to go to parochial schools, will be debated today.

SJR 47 is sponsored by Sen. Scott Rupp, R-Wentzville, who says the state's Constitutional ban against giving tax money to parochial schools is discriminating against religion.

The resolution is described this way on the Senate website:

This proposed constitutional amendment, if approved by voters, would modify Article IX, Section 8, commonly referred to as the "Blaine Amendment" by removing the prohibition on the distribution of public moneys to religious organizations. Instead, it prohibits public entities from denying an individual or an entity the state benefits of an education program, funding, or other support on the basis of religious identify or belief provided the state benefits comply with the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. 

We obviously have a full-on push for educational vouchers in the Missouri legislature.