Blaine Amendment | Video

Retha Colclasure | 3/2/2013

An effort to provide public funding to private schools in North Dakota failed in the state`s house earlier this week. But some lawmakers want to leave the door open to bring the bill up in future sessions. Some legislators say they think one reason the bill failed was because it violated what`s called the Blaine Amendment in the state`s constitution. The amendment forbids direct government aid to religiously-affiliated schools.

On Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee will take a look at a house concurrent resolution that would take away that restriction.

"Even if we passed that particular resolution this session, it doesn`t mean anything changes. What it means is that would go before the people of North Dakota to vote on, and then if they approve it, then the next legislative session, perhaps there could be some legislation that would pass that maybe wouldn`t be constitutionally permissible this session," said Representative Kim Koppelman (R) from West Fargo.

The concurrent resolution is one of four the judiciary committee will look at on Wednesday.

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