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Florida AG Defies Funding Ban, Cites First Amendment Rights

4/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier says he will not enforce a prohibition on government funding for religious organizations.
He argues the ban violates the First Amendment's religious-freedom protections.
Uthmeier's stance could expand public funding for religious institutions and invite civil liberties challenges.
Critics say the interpretation undermines church-state separation and risks a Florida theocratic shift.
In a memo, Uthmeier says the First Amendment permits government encouragement of religion.

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Story summary

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier says he will not enforce a prohibition on government funding for religious organizations.
He argues the ban violates the First Amendment's religious-freedom protections.
Uthmeier's stance could expand public funding for religious institutions and invite civil liberties challenges.
Critics say the interpretation undermines church-state separation and risks a Florida theocratic shift.
In a memo, Uthmeier says the First Amendment permits government encouragement of religion.