On Wednesday, Feb. 13, Show-Me Institute policy analyst Dave Roland testified before the Missouri House Special Committee on Student Achievement and Senate Pensions, Veterans’ Affairs & General Laws. Roland considered common objections to tuition tax credit programs that are raised on constitutional grounds, but argued that tax credits do not constitute a grant of public funds, and therefore would not run afoul of religion-related constutitional restrictions.

Roland also pointed out that the United States Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of state programs that offer parents the financial opportunity to send their children to private schools — even when the parents might choose for their children to attend religious schools.

The entire text of Roland's testimony is available online.