Maine

In Maine, Lawsuit Argues That State Must Fund Discrimination In Religious Schools

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1 year ago

April 5, 2023

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In Maine, Lawsuit Argues That State Must Fund Discrimination In Religious Schools

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Over the previous few years, the Supreme Court docket has, step-by-step, damaged massive holes within the wall between church and state on the subject of schooling. Now a lawsuit in Maine proposes to shatter a number of extra bricks.

Carson v. Makin spun from a peculiarity of Maine schooling legislation. As a result of not all small cities in Maine can afford to run their very own faculty system, the state permits for vouchers for college students from one neighborhood and not using a faculty to attend in a neighborhood that has one. However the legislation restricted the usage of these vouchers to non-religious faculties. Decrease courts agreed that “Maine’s tuition program doesn’t act as a penalty for non secular train, it merely declines to subsidize it.”

In June of 2022, the Supreme Court docket disagreed, saying that if the state paid for a secular faculty possibility, it should additionally pay for the non secular model. Like different circumstances on this sequence, the choice appeared to raise the free train clause of the First Modification over the institution clause.

In his dissent, Justice Breyer factors some attainable outcomes:

What occurs as soon as “could” turns into “should”? Does that transformation imply {that a} faculty district that pays for public faculties should pay equal funds to folks who want to ship their youngsters to spiritual faculties? Does it imply that faculty districts that give vouchers to be used at constitution faculties should pay equal funds to folks who want to give their youngsters a spiritual schooling? What different social advantages are there the State’s provision of which implies—below the bulk’s interpretation of the Free Train Clause—that the State should pay mother and father for the non secular equal of the secular profit offered?

If lack of state funding is, as Roberts asserts, discrimination in opposition to a faith, precisely who will resolve the situations of non secular fairness within the eyes of the state? As Breyer factors out, “Members of minority religions, with too few adherents to ascertain faculties, may even see injustice in the truth that solely these belonging to extra widespread religions can use state cash for non secular schooling.” How is the state anticipated to resolve such “discrimination”?

Justice Sotomayor provided the final phrase on this new shift:

In 2017, I feared that the Court docket was “lead[ing] us . . . to a spot the place separation of church and state is a constitutional slogan, not a constitutional dedication.” As we speak, the Court docket leads us to a spot the place separation of church and state turns into a constitutional violation.

However whereas the case marked a shift in governing philosophy in america, on the bottom in Maine, it had little actual impact. That could be about to vary.

The temporary for Carson v. Makin supplies a more in-depth have a look at the 2 personal faculties concerned which helps illustrate the stakes. Bangor Christian Faculties require adherence to a code of conduct; trans or homosexual college students shall be expelled, even when celibate. Their non secular indoctrination is inseparable from their tutorial instruction. A fifth grade social research goal is to “acknowledge God as Creator of the world,” whereas a ninth grade goal is to “refute the teachings of the Islamic faith with the reality of God’s phrase.” Lecturers at BCS should certify that they’re born once more Christians.

The faculties named within the go well with have mentioned that they won’t settle for taxpayer funding if accepting these {dollars} would require them to cease discriminating. And in reality, Maine received forward of the Supreme Court docket by passing an modification to the state’s anti-discrimination legislation expressly forbidding sure sorts of discrimination by any faculty that accepts public funds.

And that brings us to the brand new lawsuit.

Bangor Christian Faculties is now suing the state of Maine, asking first for an injunction in opposition to the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA) restriction that bars them from receiving state cash so long as they proceed to discriminate. Their assertion is that the “poison capsule” of human rights legislation in Maine violates their non secular liberty, that they can not train that liberty until they will each obtain state funds and proceed to discriminate in opposition to college students and potential college that don’t meet their non secular necessities.

The lawsuit rests its argument on a number of main factors. For 3 causes, it argues, the poison capsule violates the free train clause. First, the state amended its human rights legal guidelines particularly to focus on the non secular faculties. Second, that the legislation shouldn’t be “typically relevant as a result of it exempts single-sex faculties.” Third, that the “poison capsule” doesn’t fulfill “strict scrutiny,” arguing that the state has no “compelling curiosity in penalizing non secular faculties’ pedagogical mannequin for the sake of ‘nondiscrimination’ if” the legislation doesn’t additionally apply to same-sex faculties.

The go well with additionally argues that making use of the MHRA to maintain the varsity from using solely “co-religionists” violates institution and free train clauses. Lecturers at Bangor Christian Faculties are required to observe faith that aligns with the varsity’s beliefs. Spiritual employers, the varsity argues, are allowed by the legislation to require all staff be believers with out it counting as illegal discrimination.

The go well with additionally attracts in Kennedy v. Bremerton, the case during which the Supreme Court docket present in favor of the highschool coach who led prayers on the 50 yard line after video games.

Legal professional Basic Aaron Frey mentioned that “all Mainers need to be handled with dignity and respect, whether or not or not it’s of their office, their housing, or of their school rooms. The Maine Human Rights Act is in place to guard Mainers from discrimination and the Workplace of the Legal professional Basic is steadfast in upholding the legislation. If abiding by this state legislation is unacceptable to the plaintiffs, they’re free to forego taxpayer funding.”

The case is being dealt with by First Liberty Institute and Convoy McCarthy PLLC. First Liberty is a Christian conservative agency primarily based in Texas; they’re the identical agency that took each Makin and Kennedy all the best way to the Supreme Court docket. That means that people who observe church-state authorized circumstances could also be following this go well with for some time.

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Maine

Independence Day from the state capital

Published

57 seconds ago

July 4, 2024

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AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) – Maine’s capital city hosted its annual July 4th celebration starting with a parade through the city. Thousands of people lined the route.

Beginning at the State House, the parade made its way through the streets, ending at Old Fort Western. The parade featured superheroes, go-karts, and dance routines.

For some, the yearly celebration has been a tradition for as long as they can remember.

“I’ve been coming since, gosh, I think I was two years old with my grandparents and my nana and papa, and every year, it’s just a little more exciting, and I get to see a lot of my friends who get to participate, and it’s nice to be able to celebrate all together and be able to see them,” said paradegoer Lisa Bittus.

After crossing the Calumet Bridge, those in the parade and all of the viewers got to take in some American and Maine history before Augusta Mayor Mark O’Brien, decked out in colonial clothing, read the Declaration of Independence.

“I really enjoy just going back into history and just refreshing what the importance of Independence Day, especially in Augusta, is all about, and then a lot of the local organizations that come out to Augusta for the Mill Park events are close and near and dear to my heart,” said Bittus.

There was plenty of fun to be had for the folks in the parade as well.

Chase Rucker played in the parade band with his Grandfather Dan Cote. Rucker also volunteers at the fort, which he finds to be a special spot.

“People here are wonderful, and they always get a really good job done,” stated Rucker.

“There’s no doubt about that. We started at about eight o’clock. We were here about that time, and we just kind of hung out, waited for the ride to get to the State House, and watched everybody do their thing. It was a great time,” added Cote.

Thousands of people and dozens of organizations represented throughout the parade all came together to celebrate the 4th of July.

“The city together is a big community, and they all come together to support each other and just remember our freedom and why we’re here. Without Independence Day, we wouldn’t be standing here,” concluded Bittus.

After the parade, Mill Park in Augusta hosted food trucks, live music, and activities. A fireworks display is set for 9 this evening.

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Maine

Mills reaffirms support for Biden, asks him to reassure Mainers • Maine Morning Star

Published

7 hours ago

July 4, 2024

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Mills reaffirms support for Biden, asks him to reassure Mainers • Maine Morning Star

Maine Gov. Janet Mills joined other Democratic governors in a conversation with President Joe Biden on Wednesday night as part of a White House effort to shore up support for Biden after his widely critiqued performance in the first presidential debate.

Mills wrote in a statement to Maine Morning Star that the debate was difficult to watch, but affirmed that she will continue to back Biden after the conversation, which she participated in remotely from Maine.

“The president made clear to me and the rest of the governors that he was in it to win it and that he would be making his case to the American people – and I believe him,” Mills wrote. “Over the next several months, and especially in the coming days, I look forward to the president demonstrating to the American people the same heart, determination, and vigor that he brought to our conversation this evening – qualities that I have come to know well in my time with him over the years.”

During the debate on June 27, Mills told Maine Morning Star that democracy is at stake in the November presidential election, as well as common sense and civility in the White House, which she said she had not seen from former President Donald Trump during the debate. Rather, the governor criticized Trump for deploying what she called mudslinging, name calling and “just so many fibs.”

Reiterating this contrast in the statement Wednesday, Mills added that Biden had a record of accomplishment for Maine people, as opposed to “the chaos and ineptitude that Donald Trump would rain down on the American people.”

Reacting to debate, Gov. Mills outlines what’s at stake for Maine in presidential election

However, Mills wrote that she told Biden the debate was difficult to watch and that some Mainers shared concerns with her about his campaign, specifically anxiety over whether he could win. Mills also conveyed to Biden “that it would be good for him to reassure the voters of Maine, just as he was reassuring us,” she wrote.

Writing that the conversation was candid and constructive, Mills added, “I told him that I cared deeply about him, that I believe he has been an excellent leader for our country, and that I support him.”

In the week since the debate, Democrats have raised concerns about Biden’s performance. On Tuesday, Texas U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett called for Biden to withdraw as the Democratic nominee, becoming the first congressional Democrat to do so.

Amid speculation about Biden’s future as the Democratic nominee, the White House has said Biden is “absolutely not” stepping down.

The Maine Democratic Party has also continued to show its support for the president. In a statement on Tuesday, the state party contrasted the candidates’ records on a range of issues.

“Unlike Donald Trump, President Joe Biden has delivered for Mainers by lowering costs for Maine families, creating more than 44,000 good paying jobs, investing $2.5 billion to strengthen our infrastructure, and expanding Mainers’ access to affordable health care,” the statement read.

The Maine Democratic Party is also of the belief that “the only way to defeat Donald Trump and his plans to ban abortion nationwide including here in Maine, gut access to affordable health care, and destroy our democracy is to reelect Joe Biden this November.”

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Maine

Here's Your Sign to Spend the 4th at Old Orchard Beach, Maine

Published

14 hours ago

July 4, 2024

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Here's Your Sign to Spend the 4th at Old Orchard Beach, Maine

Old Orchard Beach might have one of the best full days planned for Mainers looking to celebrate the Fourth of July. Beautiful beaches, free concert, and of course, FIREWORKS!

195th Maine Army National Guard Band to Perform a Free Show

The 195th Maine Army National Guard Band is performing a FREE concert on the 4th of July. It will take place at Old Orchard Beach as a part of their summer concert series at the Seaside Pavilion.

National Guard Band

195th Army National Guard Band

This is a free concert, and no tickets are required for admission. What better way to celebrate America’s birthday with a free concert put on by some of our heroes playing America’s favorite music (along with a few other reported surprises).

195th Maine Army National Guard Band

Seaside Pavilion is Walking Distance from Maine Beaches

Seaside Pavilion is less than a mile away from the very popular Old Orchard Pier. Regardless of where you live in Maine, spending the day at the beach at Old Orchard Beach and then capping it off with a free concert by the 195th Army National Guard Band sounds like a special experience for the entire family.

Old Orchard Beach

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There is a slight chance of rain for Thursday’s 4th of July forecast at Old Orchard Beach, but the optimist in me says that just means there is also a chance for amazing weather for the 4th of July.

Fireworks Will Happen at 9:45pm Near the Old Orchard Pier in Maine

Palace Playground

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After the free concert by the 195th Maine Army National Guard Band at 7pm, there will be a firework show less than a mile away at 9:45pm. It will take place near the Old Orchard Pier in front of Palace Playground. If you don’t have plans for the family this 4th of July, this sounds like it could be an incredible way to celebrate America!