Staff Reports
On Wednesday, a group of parents in Minnesota bravely took legal action against Democratic Governor Tim Walz’s latest budget, which included an amendment to the Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program. The new law prevents funding from being granted to schools that require a “faith statement.” The courageous parents argue that it is unfair for their children to be denied opportunities to attend Christian colleges, thanks to this discriminatory and prejudiced rule. They rely on the Supreme Court’s previous rulings on PSEO funding for religious schools.
The new law affects the PSEO program, which gives students in 10th to 12th grade the opportunity to earn college credits tuition-free while still in high school. However, under the amended law, higher education institutions cannot receive PSEO funding if they request a statement of faith from students or base any part of the admission decision on a student’s race, creed, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs or affiliations. This is a clear breach of religious freedom.
The parents assert that the PSEO program allows for equal opportunities for all students to pursue education in an environment consistent with their religious values and beliefs. They refuse to allow the discriminatory and prejudiced policy to deny their children the same opportunities that their older siblings had, which allowed them to receive Christ-centered college education at schools such as Northwestern and Crown. Mark and Melinda Loe, on behalf of the aggrieved parents, affirm that Minnesota should strive to help all students have access to a college education that is suitable to their interests and values.
The Minnesota Department of Education noted that the petition had been received and is under review. Governor Walz, the State Commissioner of Education, and the State Department of Education have not responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for a response.
In recent years, discriminatory policies like the one that Walz and his allies imposed have been struck down in courts repeatedly. Such unjust policies are a violation of religious freedom and should not be allowed to erode the liberties of any citizen, let alone students seeking educational opportunities. These unjust policies cannot stand against the power of the law and the people’s will to defend their God-given rights. The state must treat families and students with respect and equity, regardless of their religious affiliations or beliefs.
Source: The Daily Caller
