Voucher ruling sparks tax dollar debate

Gov. Bobby Jindal’s voucher program that uses tax dollars to send students to private schools was ruled unconstitutional Friday by a state judge who said it’s improperly funded through the public school financing formula. On Friday, Judge Tim Kelley sided with arguments presented by teacher unions and school boards seeking to shut down the voucher program and other changes that would funnel more money away from traditional public schools.

The governor, who made the voucher program and other educational changes a signature of his early second term, said the state will appeal the decision.