ProPublica: In an Unprecedented Move, Ohio Is Funding the Construction of Private Religious Schools

[Dennis Donovan]

In an Unprecedented Move, Ohio Is Funding the Construction of Private Religious Schools

The state is giving millions in taxpayer dollars directly to private schools to help them renovate and expand their campuses. It may be the next frontier in the push to increase the use of school vouchers, proponents say.



by Eli Hager
Sept. 17, 5 a.m. EDT

The state of Ohio is giving taxpayer money to private, religious schools to help them build new buildings and expand their campuses, which is nearly unprecedented in modern U.S. history.

While many states have recently enacted sweeping school voucher programs that give parents taxpayer money to spend on private school tuition for their kids, Ohio has cut out the middleman. Under a bill passed by its Legislature this summer, the state is now providing millions of dollars in grants directly to religious schools, most of them Catholic, to renovate buildings, build classrooms, improve playgrounds and more.

The goal in providing the grants, according to the measure’s chief architect, Matt Huffman, is to increase the capacity of private schools in part so that they can sooner absorb more voucher students.

“The capacity issue is the next big issue on the horizon” for voucher efforts, Huffman, the Ohio Senate president and a Republican, told the Columbus Dispatch.

Huffman did not respond to ProPublica’s requests for comment.

/snip

[live love laugh]

1. Defunding education is the Republican way.

[SheltieLover]

2. Absolutely! The not-no-great state of TN keeps toying with rejecting Fed Ed $$$. Billions,

They just haven't quite been able to cut loose all that money. Just so they don't have to abide by "gubmint rules."

They are so stupid, it hurts my brain to think about them.

[BoRaGard]

3. kristofascism (R) with a Fake Friendly Face

[Cowpunk]

4. Coming Soon To A State Near You

“This will happen in other states — they all learn from each other like laboratories.”

[sinkingfeeling]

5. I left Ohio, where I grew up, in 1977. I can't believe it's the same place.

[Fla Dem]

6. This is so wrong. I don't want my taxes going to build religious schools.

Where is the separation of church and state. Put those millions of $$ into improving our public schools and paying teachers a living wage. Not just Ohio, but all states.