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! One-Year-Old Supreme Court Decision Ripples Through
Church-State Lawsuits

One year ago, the Supreme Court decision in Hein v. FFRF, a lawsuit that originally challenged the
constitutionality of the Bush Administration’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative, ultimately came
down to whether taxpayers could bring lawsuits over government actions that allegedly breach the
proverbial wall separating church and state. The high court decided that taxpayers could only sue over
such allegations when the funding is expressly authorized by the legislature – not by the President or
executive branch of government, as much of the money for the federal faith-based effort is.

Though the Hein decision was a technical one, its impacts are still being felt a year later – and are likely
to unfold further in the future. Watchdog groups that keep their radar scanning for breaches of the
church-state divide concede that it has made them more cautious about pursuing some lawsuits, or has
changed the way they think about presenting their arguments. Groups that focus on defending religious
charities say their workload has shifted as a result. But groups on both sides of the church-state legal
conflicts say that what is likely the decision’s most significant impact cannot be measured: It’s impossible
to know how many lawsuits Hein has deterred.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Correspondent Claire Hughes.

New! Former White House Faith-Based Official Favored
in Grant Process

A former top official in the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives was awarded a
lucrative Department of Justice grant under pressure from two senior Bush administration appointees,
ABC News reported on Tuesday afternoon. The $1.2 million grant was jointly awarded to a consulting
firm run by Lisa Trevino Cummins, who previously headed Hispanic outreach efforts for the White House
faith-based office, and Victory Outreach, a California evangelical group. Justice Department staff had objected
to the grant, according to the ABC News report, but the director of the department’s Task Force for Faith-
Based and Community Initiatives, Steven McFarland, encouraged that Cummins get funded.

Click here to read the article.

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. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services.

Potential applicants should be aware that some grant programs require specific technical expertise, or
experience in particular foreign countries.

Click here for the grants digest.

Roundtable Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories

Wake County to Open Employment Assistance Centers
nbc17.com (North Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8432

Increase in Charitable Giving Dampened by Signs of Belt-Tightening
The New York Times

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8433

Nonprofits Receive Reprieve on Property Tax Issue
Minnesota Public Radio

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8434

Faces of Hope; Helping to Keep Up Appearances;
Homeowners in Target Area Get Supplies Discount
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wisconsin)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8446

Transitional Housing Facility Nears Rebuilding;
It Will Resume Goal of Helping Single Men
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8447

Church to Host Faith-Based Fair Promoting City Home Ownership
The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, OK)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8435

Foreclosures Considered For Shelters
Ventura County Star (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8436

Church Honored For Green Efforts
The Salt Lake Tribune

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8437

Churches and Immigrants;
Government Turns to Religious Groups to Offer Services to Newcomers
Jackson Citizen Patriot (Michigan)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8448

Changing the World, One Home At A Time
The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA.)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8449

Durham Gears Up For Anti-Gang Grants;
Raleigh and the Bull City Share $2.5 Million for Suppression and Prevention
The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8456

CPR a Divine Right project
Jacksonville Daily Progress (Texas)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8450

Changing the World ... One House at a Time
The Star Press (Muncie, Indiana)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8451

Church Groups Espouse Fair Trade; Religious Organizations Are Spreading The Fair
Trade Gospel To Their Congregations, And Even Investing In Some Like-Minded Enterprises
Business Week Online

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8452

Farm bill is finally OK'd; U.S. food aid cleared to go
Stl.today

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8438

Southside Neighbors Air Grievances with Faith-Based Homeless Shelter
Lebanon Daily News

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8439

What To Buy: Fuel Or Food? Pantries Running Out As Rising Costs Hurt Families
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8440

Wisconsin Charities Running Short on Flood Relief
greenbaypressgazette.com

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8441

County Planning Emergency Preparedness Events
Picayune Item (Mississippi)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8442

Record Fuel Prices Hurting Christian Charities
Christian Post

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8443

Nonprofits Scramble as Donors Cut Funds
The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8444

Faith-Based Groups to Lend Helping Hands to Area Residents
LancastereagleGazette.com

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8453

Christian Coalition Lobbies For Uninsured
al.com

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8454

Ministers Press For Compassion Toward Migrants;
Tone Down Hurtful Words in Debate, Lawmakers Told
The Arizona Republic

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8455

Oil Prices Fuel Fury From The Pulpit
Los Angeles Times

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8445

Weekly Opinion Roundup - 6/24/2008
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/news_opinion_6_24_08.cfm