An update from the Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy, an independent research project
of the Rockefeller Institute of Government. The public policy research arm of the State University of New York.

New! Court: Indiana Taxpayers Cannot Challenge Legislature's Prayers

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit has issued an important ruling on the right of taxpayers to bring lawsuits
under the Establishment Clause. (That's the phrase of the First Amendment that states, “Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion.") The ruling in Hinrichs v Bosma – a lawsuit that challenged the practice of
official prayer in the Indiana State legislature – interprets and extends the Supreme Court's decision in Hein v.
Freedom from Religion Foundation. In Hein, the Court ruled that taxpayers may not mount legal challenges against the
federal government over funding to religious organizations unless Congress has specifically authorized the programs
that provide the money. The 7th Circuit held that taxpayers did not have standing to challenge the Indiana legislature's
 prayers, because the legislature did not specifically authorize funding for the practice. This decision is important
because it extends the reasoning in Hein to state taxpayers, and also reads the Supreme Court's decision in a way
that may impose even greater restrictions on future taxpayer suits under the Establishment Clause.

Click here to read the opinion.

Click here for the Roundtable's Resource Page on Hein v. Freedom From Religion Foundation.

New! Faith-Based Groups in Battle to Combat Human Trafficking

At the onset of the new millennium, the United States had no comprehensive federal law to protect victims of sexual
and labor trafficking or to prosecute the traffickers. That prompted faith-based organizations, many which witnessed
what they call a modern-day form of slavery, to lobby for passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000.
That act, two subsequent reauthorizations in 2003 and 2006, and a concerted federal campaign to harness faith-based
and community organizations to end trafficking, have resulted in millions of government dollars flowing to religious organizations to fight international and domestic human trafficking.

The federal efforts are part of the President's Faith-Based and Community Initiative. That effort encourages religious
and community organizations to partner with government to provide services through 11 federal agencies for everything
ranging from disaster relief and school security to substance abuse treatment and prisoner reform. Human trafficking
has become part of that extensive list of services in which the government looks toward religious organizations to help.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Washington Correspondent Anne Farris.

New! Church Challenges New York Law Banning Religious Charter School Operators

A Harlem church that wants to run a charter school has sued New York State officials, in a challenge to a law
preventing religious entities from operating such institutions. New Horizon Church Ministry claims a New York law
prohibiting charter schools to come under the direction of a religious denomination violates the church's rights of free
religious exercise, free speech, and equal protection under the law. “The New York Charter Schools Act is nothing
more than an attempt by the State to erect a barrier for those who express their religious beliefs from access to public
 resources," the lawsuit states.

A Roundtable legal expert says that the church faces an uphill battle in its fight, in light of recent court decisions
affirming states' right to uphold stricter church-state separation than is required by the federal Constitution. A
Washington, D.C.-based advocate for church-state separation views the lawsuit as a weak attempt to challenge
longstanding laws that prohibit public funding of church-run schools.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Correspondent Claire Hughes.

Click here for a Roundtable Resource Page with information on state laws affecting government contracts with
religious groups.

Register Now! Roundtable Conference Features Latest on Faith-Based Social Services

At the Roundtable's annual conference, noted political scientist John Green of the University of Akron will report new
findings from a national survey on the services provided by congregations and faith-based organizations, as well as on
 their leaders' awareness and interest in participating in public programs to support or extend such activities. Survey
results will also include new findings on administrative practices and organizational characteristics among
congregations and faith-based organizations, with regard to their readiness to receive and account for public funds in
the form of government contracts or grants.

And the Roundtable's highly respected legal experts - Law Professors Ira C. Lupu and Robert W. Tuttle of George
Washington University - will give a thorough update on the year's most significant legal events affecting government
partnerships with religious charities. Topics include the implications of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Hein v.
Freedom From Religion Foundation, government chaplaincies, legislative earmarks to religious groups, and the use of
 tax money to renovate religious structures. As close observers of the federal Faith-Based and Community Initiative for
 the past six years, Lupu and Tuttle are able to provide context for the latest developments and offer insights into what
 to watch for next.

If you want to keep up on the latest news on faith-based social services, you won't want to miss this year's conference,
which will be held Wednesday, December 5, in Washington D.C. The complete program will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30
p.m. at the National Press Club at 529 14th St. NW .

Register now! The conference is free, but you must register to attend.

Click here to submit your online registration.

Weekly Digest of Federal Grants with Faith-Based and Community Organization Eligibility

The grant opportunities this week for community and faith-based organizations are through programs administered by
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Potential applicants should be aware that some grant programs
may require specific technical expertise.

Click here for the grant digest.

The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy promotes informed debate on the issue of publicly funded faith-based social service. Supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Roundtable provides independent, non-partisan research on the scope and scale of faith-based social services, their effectiveness, how public resources are being used in providing such services, and the legal and regulatory issues involved. The Roundtable's comprehensive web site makes this research and related information easily available. It can be accessed by clicking here:

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