Should State Tax Dollars Be Used to Pay for Religious Day Care?
By: Adam Rodriguez, KARK 4 News
Updated: September 13, 2012
Harris says his daycare, Growing God's Kingdom, provides stability to low-income children and fills a need in the community not satisfied by public schools. So he's upset by changes proposed by the Arkansas Department of Education that would take state funding from religion-based day cares.
"They thought we were indoctrinating children, and we weren't" Harris said.
Of the 168 kids enrolled at God's Kingdom, 110 have their fees paid by the Arkansas Better Chance program.
According to Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a Washington, D.C. based organization, the ABC funding is being used to promote religion- despite Harris' arguments that none of the Bible lessons are paid for with state money.
The Arkansas Department of Education has changed its policy about ABC funding, saying daycares that promoted religion wouldn't be eligible for funding.
The Administrative Rules and Regulations Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council was prepared to consider the changes "reviewed" Tuesday, but sent the item to the Education Committee for review, based on Harris' objections they deserved a closer look.
