Wisconsin must halt funds for faith-based program

By The Associated Press

01.09.02

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MADISON, Wis. — A federal judge yesterday ordered the state's Department of Workforce Development to stop funding a faith-based Milwaukee program that helps troubled fathers with drug treatment, job training and placement.

The order from U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb came in response to a lawsuit filed by the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, which opposes money going to the Milwaukee program Faith Works.

The program receives grants from the DWD and has a contract with the state Department of Corrections to operate a halfway house providing 24-hour supervised residential care.

President Bush visited the program during his presidential campaign.

Crabb said in her ruling granting summary judgment yesterday that the DWD grants were unconstitutional because they constitute "unrestricted, direct funding of an organization that engages in religious indoctrination." She ordered a trial to determine whether the Department of Corrections contract with Faith Works is constitutional.

The DWD gave Faith Works $150,000 in grants in fiscal year 1998 and $450,000 in fiscal year 1999, according to court records.

Anne Nicol Gaylor, president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, said the program was "drenched with religion."

"For a private program to operate that way is fine. Go right ahead, but don't expect public taxpayers to proselytize for you, to line up converts," she said.

Faith Works attorney Daniel Kelly said the state has funded several groups as part of welfare reform efforts, and that it was unfair to eliminate one because it is faith-based.

DWD spokeswoman Rachel Biittner said yesterday that she could not comment until agency officials were able to study Crabb's ruling.

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