This state’s legislature appropriated $10 million for what it said was a worthwhile – and legitimate – educational cause. But a court said otherwise.

In 2006, the Kentucky General Assembly appropriated $10 million for the construction of a pharmacy school building on the campus of the University of the Cumberlands, which is a Baptist college located within the state.

Another $1 million was earmarked for a pharmacy scholarship program.

Taxpayers and others cried foul, saying public money shouldn’t be used to support a religious school.

Kentucky’s highest court agreed. The state constitution says taxes raised for educational purposes can’t be used to aid any church, sectarian or denominational school, it explained.

The court also nixed the scholarship program. By restricting scholarships to those who would attend the new school, the legislature unlawfully afforded special treatment to those students.

Cite: University of the Cumberlands v. Pennybacker.

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Tags: funding, pharmacy schools, University of the Cumberlands