(KNSI) — Two Minnesota colleges are suing the state, including Department of Education Commissioner Willie Jett, the former superintendent of St. Cloud Area School District 742.
The plaintiffs say a provision in the two-year education budget is unconstitutional. It bans any college that offers credit to high school students through the Postsecondary Enrollment Options program from including a faith statement during the application process.
The complaint is a joint effort from a parents group, Crown College, and the University of Northwestern in St. Paul. Republican State Representative Harry Niska issued a statement after the lawsuit was filed.
He expects it to be successful, saying, “During a House floor debate, Democrats admitted they were targeting certain colleges based on their religious beliefs. We explained why this law is clearly unconstitutional, based on recent Supreme Court cases, but Democrats disregarded the facts and proceeded to enact this legislation.”
KNSI News contacted the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University on the lawsuit. The Office of President Brian Bruess did not return a request for comment.
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