It was a long but fruitful day in the legislature today. At about 6 pm, the state Senate opened debate on LD 1092, an act that would have allowed public funding of private schools, including religious schools, through tax credits. The original fiscal note was $12.5 million. The debate was thoughtful and deliberate. Senator Roger Katz (R-Augusta) reminded fellow legislators of the First Amendment caution against government entanglement with religion. Senator Justin Alfond (D-Portland) discussed the obligation that the government has to monitor and regulate that which it funds. In the end, the Senate voted 22 to 13 to reject LD 1092. The bill goes to the House for a vote as early as tomorrow. It is our hope that Maine's representatives will follow the Senate's light.
