Legal Document

413 U.S. 825 93 Supreme Court Reporter 2982 37 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 939 Grace SLOAN, as State Treasurer of the Commonwealth Pennsylvania, et al., Appellants,v.Alton Judge LEMON al. Henry E. CROUTER, Appellant, versus Alton Nos. 72—459, 72—620. Argued April 16, 1973. Decided June 25, Syllabus Subsequent to Lemon Kurtzman, 403 602, 91 2105, 29 745, Pennsylvania enacted 'Parent Reimbursement Act for Nonpublic Education,' providing funds reimburse parents a portion tuition expenses incurred in sending their children nonpublic schools. The three-judge District held that law violated Establishment Clause, granted plaintiffs' motion summary judgment, and permanently enjoined disbursement any under Act. also indicated 'more than 90% attending schools . are enrolled controlled by religious organizations or have purpose propagating promoting faith,' ruled could not properly be viewed containing separable provision aid whose attended nonsectarian, Held: 1. There is no constitutionally significant difference between Pennsylvania's grant scheme, with its intended consequence preserving supporting religion-oriented institutions, New York's reimbursement program violative Clause Committee Public Education & Religious Liberty Nyquist, 756, 2955, 948. Pp. 828—833. 2. severable, but even if it were clearly valid nonpublic, nonsectarian can provide basis sustaining sectarian Equal Protection cannot relied upon sustain Clause. 833—835. 340 F.Supp. 1356, affirmed. Israel Packel, Harrisburg, Pa., appellant Sloan, etc. William baron Ball, appellants Jose Diaz others. T. Reath, Philadelphia, Crouter. Theodore R. Mann, appellees. Mr. Justice POWELL delivered opinion Court. 1 On 28, 1971, this handed down which 'Nonpublic Elementary Secondary Act' was unconstitutional First Amendment. That authorized expenditures on teachers' salaries, textbooks, instructional materials used specified 'secular' courses. Court's ruling premised determination restrictions state supervision required guarantee would benefit only nonreligious activities foster 'excessive entanglement' government religion. Id., at 620—622, S.Ct., 2114—2116. 2 August 27, General Assembly promulgated new law, entitled Shortly thereafter, suit, challenging enactment seeking declaratory injunctive relief, filed Eastern Pennsylvania. plaintiffs residents taxpayers who had paid tax finance program, least one plaintiff parent child public school within State. named defendant sued capacity. Motions intervene side number therefore payments challenged law. 3 intervenors dismiss complaint failure claim relief might granted. considered constituted 6, 1972, panel denied full explicating views holding 1356. opinion, subsequently issued an order granting judgment enjoining Its 4 Direct appeals docketed several intervenors.1 We noted probable jurisdiction, consolidated oral argument, scheduled cases argued case from York involving issue common case. 410 907, 958, 35 268 (1973). today 948, legislation has impermissible effect advancing institutions Because we find programs, decision compels our affirmance here. 5 * Education'2 provides pay attend State's elementary secondary Qualifying receive $75 each dependent school, $150 unless amount exceeds actually paid. money fund derived revenues cigarette sales, administered five-member committee appointed Governor, known 'Pennsylvania Parent Assistance Authority.' In effort avoid 'entanglement' problem flawed prior statute, supra, specifically precludes administering authority having 'direction, control over policy determinations, personnel, curriculum, instruction other aspect administration operation schools.'3 Similarly, statute imposes limitations uses allotments put qualifying parents. 6 Like prefaced 'legislative findings,' emphasize underlying secular purposes: send reduce total cost education; 'inflation, plus sharply rising costs education, now combine place jeopardy ability such fully carry burden'; 500,000 transfer schools, annual operating $400 million, added capital exceed $1 billion; therefore, 'parents maintain students vital service' deserve partial alleviating otherwise 'intolerable burden.'4 certainly do question now, more did two Terms ago Kurtzman,5 reality legitimacy purposes. See U.S., 773, 2965. 7 turn, then, consider law's effect. As decided initially defendant's intervenors' motions dismiss, court accepted true allegation respect identifying characteristics F.Supp., 1359. Those largely same ones describe typical York. 767—768, 2962—2963. subsequent favor, faith.' App. 87a. This finding consistent evidence 96% 1969 'attend(ed) church-related most these affiliated Roman Catholic church.' 610, 2110. 8 For purposes determining whether religion, distinctions declared invalid Nyquist. Each authorizes use tax-raised reimbursements payable Neither tells how they must spend received. While grants generous ($75 opposed $50 $100), while ceiling whom may percentage bill reimbursed,6 considerations irrelevant Amendment question. 9 nor appellant-intervenor Number 72—620 suggested way present distinguished have, however, proffered distinction deserves discussion because serves underline cases. Intervenors suggest differentiated ground there available extremely low income bracket (less $5,000 taxable income), reasonable predict would, fact, tuition, rendering mere 'conduit' Since all schools—regardless level—it assumption made individual will reimbursed amounts.7 10 Our decision, speculation. Instead look substance matter characterized remains same. singled out class citizens special economic benefit. Whether simple subsidy, incentive reward done so, bottom consequences preserve support institutions. think plain quite unlike sort 'indirect' 'incidental' benefits flowed programs aiding supplying bus transportation textbooks children. Such carefully restricted purely church-affiliated provided those chosen Yet approached 'verge' impermissible. Everson Board Education, 330 1, 67 504, 511, L.Ed. 711 (1947). declined allow 'platform yet further steps' assistance 'institutions legitimate needs growing interests substantial political support.' 624, 2117. Again decline approach overstep 'precipice' against protects. hold scheme violates constitutional mandate 'sponsorship' 'financial support' religion Walz Tax Comm'n, 397 664, 668, 90 1409, 1411, 25 697 (1970).8 II 11 Apart issues central case, appellant-intervenors 72—459 make equal protection directly These 12 Two parents, Watsons, remainder final disbursing irrespective rejected argument should treated 'as church related.'9 Although contained severability clause,10 reasoned that, view fact so majority designated beneficiaries organizations, assumed legislature passed relatively few schools.11 Appellants ask declare provisions severable thereby related. If assistance, continues, protection. thoroughly spurious. first place, been shown reason upset conclusion severed sectarian. nowhere sets up dichotomy approve here create different adopted. Champlin Refining company Corporation Commission Oklahoma, 286 210, 234, 52 559, 564, 76 1062 (1932); cf. Tilton Richardson, 672, 683—684, 2091, 2098—2099, 790 (1971) (plurality opinion). Even lever counterparts. never regarded bludgeon compel violate Constitution. Having nothing suffice revive program. Cf. Brusca 405 1050, 92 1493, 31 786 (1972), aff'g 332 275 (EDMo.1971). III 13 post-Lemon Kurtzman attempt Clause's prohibition entanglements failed satisfy parallel bar laws primary advances unaware endeavored formulate systems education feel decisions indeed, presented them 'insoluble paradox' White referred his separate Kurtzman. 2138.12 But novel forms readily sustained Court, 'fault' lies doctrines said paradox rather itself: 'Congress' virtue Fourteenth 'shall respecting establishment religion.' With free tamper, 'room play joints,' 669, 1412, Amendment's proscription forecloses 14 Affirmed. Sloan Lemon, appeal intervening Watsons—the registered nonreligious, private school. 72—620, Crouter separately initiated another intervenors. Pa.Laws 92, Pa.Stat.Ann., Tit. 24, §§ 5701—5709 (Supp.1973—1974) (the entire printed appendix 1365—1368). § 5704. 5702. findings similar supported teacher-salary involved Lemon. 'in response crisis Legislature found existed due rapidly costs.' 609, 2109. interest enhancing 'the quality covered compulsory attendance laws' 'must accorded appropriate deference.' 613, 2111. limited reimbursing bill, contains 'statistical neutrality,' 787, 2972. Brief 23—24. It alleged, grants, less likelihood divisiveness financed self-perpetuating tax. Thus, contended appropriations divisive pressure increased expanded aid. addressed potential Part 794—798, 2976—2978. At most, degree likely diminish perceptibly long term inevitable demands sought distinguish Nyquist drafted excessive administrative entanglements; independent Commissioner general fund. Appellant 24. falls second test effect, inevitably, advance need address claimed distinction. Order dated 20, scheduling arguments outlining questions time, reprinted 84a—85a. 'Section 10. Severability.—If part act invalid, parts remain applications, applications applications.' 92. (Emphasis supplied.) Final July 21, enforcement Act, 640, 2124 (Douglas, J., concurring); 411 193, 203 n. 3, 1463, 1470, 36 151 (1973) (Lemon II).

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