ACLU Sues Louisiana Over Unrerstricted Earmarks For Two Churches

An unusual earmarking of funds for two churches-- with no explanation of the purpose for which the funds are being granted-- has led the ACLU of Louisiana to bring suit against Louisiana's governor and state treasurer seeking a declaration that the state's budget bill (House Bill 1) violates the Establishment Clause and an injunction to prevent payment of the funds or obtain their return. (Full text of complaint.) In its press release and its Memorandum in Support of Its Motion the ACLU said that disclosure of the grants of $100,000 to Stonewall Baptist Church in Bossier City and $20,000 to Shreveport Christian Church came as a result of legislative reforms that require earmarks to be specifically listed. No restrictions are placed by the legislation on permissible use of the grants. The legislator who sponsored the earmarks did not respond to the ACLU's request for additional information about them.