State Supreme Court Upholds Henry Scholarships For Disabled Children
Oklahoma Supreme Court upholds scholarship program for disabled children
by Rick Green
After years of legal wrangling, the state Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a state program that gives scholarships to disabled children.
Some of the 400 young people in the Lindsey Nicole Henry program use the scholarships at sectarian schools, prompting a lawsuit centered on a section of the state Constitution prohibiting use of state money or property to aid religion.
“The question presented is whether this program offends the “no aid” clause of the Oklahoma Constitution, Article II, Section 5. We hold that it does not,” the court opinion states.
Named after the late daughter of former Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry, the program was created by a 2010 bill written by Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City.