August 7, 2000
Most states ignoring charitable choice
___By Kenny Byrd
___Associated Baptist Press
___WASHINGTON (ABP)--Many states are ignoring a "charitable choice" initiative in Congress' 1996 welfare reform that allows the government to contract with religious organizations to provide social services, according to a Christian public-policy center.
___A study of nine states by the Center for Public Justice said despite the law, faith-based groups, including churches, in many cases still face "restrictive and secularizing rules" if they want to compete for tax dollars.
___"It is a scandal that, nearly four years later, many states have still not put into place new protections required by the law for faith-based groups and their clients," said Stanley Carlson-Thies, the center's director of social-policy studies.
___Texas and Wisconsin received the center's only two passing grades for making it easier for faith-based groups to receive public funding. Others--California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New York and Virginia--received either "insufficient" or "unsatisfactory" marks because of their failure to comply fully with the new guidelines.
___While Texas was praised for its efforts to "maximize openness to religious groups," Virginia, Illinois and others were criticized for ignoring the new initiative and for faith leaders being unfamiliar with the concept.
___In Massachusetts, the center complained, "the state says it follows the U.S. Constitution so it can ignore charitable choice."
___And in New York, "complicated church/state politics" have blunted implementation of charitable choice, the group said. "Savvy religious groups can maneuver for funds, but the state hasn't re-engineered itself to be more welcoming."
___The "charitable choice" measure is continually being added to spending bills in Congress. Supporters say it allows religious groups with a proven record in providing services equal footing with secular ones in competing for funds. Opponents, including several religious groups, however, charge the initiative both unconstitutionally funds sectarian groups and burdens recipients with regulations.
___Another recent study by the public-justice center found a "modest but significant increase" in faith-based groups providing social services since 1996.
___"But states have far to go before faith-based groups will have the equal opportunity to compete that charitable choice requires," stated a press release from the group.
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