Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 25, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke’s Statement on Supreme Court Decision on Religion Scholarship Ban

Gov. Gary Locke today released the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that the state of Washington was within its rights to deny a taxpayer-funded scholarship to a college student who was studying to be a minister.

The case involved Joshua Davey, who was awarded a Promise Scholarship in 1999, but later was determined to be ineligible for the scholarship because he had decided to pursue a degree in pastoral ministries. He sued the state, claiming violations of his constitutional rights under the First Amendment’s freedom to exercise religion. Washington state’s constitution prohibits the use of taxpayer money to fund religious training.

In a 7-2 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Washington state’s constitutional provision. Chief Justice William Rehnquist authored the majority opinion, which stated, “Training someone to lead a congregation is an essentially religious endeavor.”

Locke stated:

“I am pleased that the high court has ruled in our favor. Students can use Promise Scholarships and other state-funded financial aid to attend public, private or even religious colleges. Recipients of state financial aid can take all types of courses, including religious courses. They just can’t use the financial aid to major in theology and receive training to become a minister.

“Mr. Davey could have used his Promise Scholarship to attend Northwest College. He just couldn’t use the scholarship to study to become a minister.”

» Return to this month's News Releases

» View News Release Archive