Current:Home > MarketsMississippi high court declines to rule on questions of public funds going to private schools -AssetLink
Mississippi high court declines to rule on questions of public funds going to private schools
View
Date:2025-04-17 13:39:18
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi Supreme Court has declined to rule on whether the state is violating its own constitution with a program that would spend $10 million of public money on infrastructure grants for private schools.
The justices on Thursday ruled 7-2 that an advocacy group lacked legal standing to sue the state. Parents for Public Schools “failed to sufficiently demonstrate an adverse impact that it suffers differently from the general public,” the majority wrote.
Because of that finding, justices said they would not rule on the larger constitutional question about public money going to private schools.
In a dissent, Justice Leslie King wrote that Parents for Public Schools has proper legal standing because it represents parents of public school students. King also echoed the group’s main argument — that the Mississippi Constitution “forbids funds to be appropriated to schools that are not free.”
The Republican-controlled Mississippi Legislature voted to create the $10 million grant program in 2022, using part of the federal money that the state received for pandemic relief.
The grants were put on hold after the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi, the Mississippi Center for Justice and Democracy Forward sued the state in June 2022 on behalf of Parents for Public Schools.
The grants were to be funded with part of the money that Mississippi received from the federal government for COVID-19 pandemic relief, and private schools each could receive up to $100,000 for broadband, water or drainage projects.
Hinds County Chancery Judge Crystal Wise Martin blocked the law in October 2022 after Parents for Public Schools argued the grants would give private schools a competitive advantage over public schools.
Public schools could not apply for the infrastructure grants, under the 2022 law passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature and signed by Republican Gov. Tate Reeves.
Legislators created a separate program to provide interest-free loans to public schools to improve buildings and other facilities, with money coming from the state. Those loans must be repaid within 10 years. The grants to private schools would not need to be repaid.
Three Supreme Court justices heard arguments over the private school grants in February, and all nine participated in the ruling.
veryGood! (23)
Related
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Here's what 3 toys were inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame this year
- What does the top five look like and other questions facing the College Football Playoff committee
- Biden EPA to charge first-ever ‘methane fee’ for drilling waste by oil and gas companies
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- Candidates line up for special elections to replace Virginia senators recently elected to US House
- Wind-whipped wildfire near Reno prompts evacuations but rain begins falling as crews arrive
- All the Ways Megan Fox Hinted at Her Pregnancy With Machine Gun Kelly
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- See Chris Evans' Wife Alba Baptista Show Her Sweet Support at Red One Premiere
Ranking
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- The Masked Singer's Ice King Might Be a Jonas Brother
- Saks Fifth Avenue’s holiday light display in Manhattan changing up this season
- U.S.-Mexico water agreement might bring relief to parched South Texas
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Wildfires burn from coast-to-coast; red flag warnings issued for Northeast
- Jury awards Abu Ghraib detainees $42 million, holds contractor responsible
- Veterans Day restaurant deals 2024: More than 80 discounts, including free meals
Recommendation
Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
Judge extends the time to indict the driver accused of killing Johnny Gaudreau and his brother
California Gov. Gavin Newsom will spend part of week in DC as he tries to Trump-proof state policies
Kevin Costner Shares His Honest Reaction to John Dutton's Controversial Fate on Yellowstone
Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
John Robinson, former USC Trojans and Los Angeles Rams coach, dies at 89
Bitcoin has topped $87,000 for a new record high. What to know about crypto’s post-election rally
Francesca Farago Details Health Complications That Led to Emergency C-Section of Twins