Michael Helfand co-authors Supreme Court amicus brief in Trinity Lutheran v. Pauley

April 26, 2016 -- Pepperdine Law professor Michael A. Helfand has co-authored an amicus curiae brief on behalf of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America in the Supreme Court case of Trinity Lutheran Church v. Pauley.  The brief asks the Court to strike down the Blaine Amendment, contained in 30 state constitutions, which prohibits government funds from being used for houses of worship and parochial schools.

Via the Orthodox Union:

The Orthodox Union filed a "Friend of the Court" brief in support of Trinity Lutheran Church, which applied to the state of Missouri to make the church's playground safer by resurfacing it with material made from recycled tires. The state offers the resurfacing program for children's playgrounds using grants from waste management funds. Missouri denied Trinity Lutheran Church's application under the state constitution's "Blaine Amendment," which prohibits government funds from being used – directly or indirectly – for houses of worship and parochial schools.

The complete press release may be found here: Orthodox Union