Religious Freedom Case Pending In Texas Supreme Court

Newspapers around the country have carried an Associated Press story about a pending Texas Supreme Court case testing the scope of the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act. (Title 110 , TX Civil Prac. & Remedies Code). At issue is a faith-based rehabilitation program for nonviolent parolees set up by Pastor Richard Barr in 1999 in two homes near his church in Sinton, Texas. City officials then outlawed the program by passing an ordinance prohibiting any rehabilitation facility for parolees within 1,000 feet of any church, school, residential area or park. Barr's lawyers say the ordinance specifically targeted Barr. The lower courts (see prior posting) have agreed with the city that the zoning change did not limit Barr's religious practice. Oral arguments are expected in March or April. Here are links to all the briefs in the case filed with the Texas Supreme Court (thanks to How Appealing).