Bush thinks that effective programs for rehabilitating prisoners, keeping teens from getting pregnant until they are married, or teaching underprivileged kids English should not be denied federal funds simply because such efforts are sponsored by a religion. In short, this initiative removes the preference for nonreligious groups in dealing with social problems that has been institutionalized in Washington for nearly four decades. Under formula grants, money and resources are provided on the basis of objective, nondiscretionary standards to groups performing defined social services. For example, formula grant programs provide a computer for every given number of students enrolled in a qualified school. The Supreme Court has upheld such grants in Mitchell v. Helm.
Discretionary grants do pose a threat.
Such grants give government officials great power by allowing them to discriminate subtly and unsubtly among grant applicants. Discretionary grants to faith- based organizations should not pay for overhead costs or the core facilities of an organization. Also, such grants should not pay for salaries of persons employed by faith-based organizations. That is the road to government power over key hiring or firing decisions. Formula grants offer the best protection, while offering the most aid.