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Tilton v. Richardson, 403 U.S. 672, 91 S.Ct. 2091, 29 L.Ed.2d 790

Facts

Taxpayers, as citizens and residents of Connecticut, filed suit against officials administering the Higher Education Facilities Act of 1963 and four church-related colleges that received federal construction grants. The Act was designed to provide federal aid for the construction of academic facilities, explicitly excluding those used for sectarian instruction or religious worship. The taxpayers argued that the colleges were sectarian and that the federal grants violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The colleges contended that they complied with the Act's conditions and that their religious affiliations did not interfere with their secular educational functions.

Taxpayers, as citizens and residents of Connecticut, filed suit against officials administering the Higher Education Facilities Act of 1963 and four church-related colleges that received federal construction grants.

Issue

Does the Higher Education Facilities Act of 1963, which provides federal construction grants to church-related colleges, violate the Establishment or Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment?

Does the Higher Education Facilities Act of 1963, which provides federal construction grants to church-related colleges, violate the Establishment or Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment?

Rule

The Act is constitutional except for the provision limiting the use of federally financed facilities for religious purposes to a period of 20 years, which unconstitutionally allows the contribution of valuable property to religious bodies.

The Act is constitutional except for that portion providing for a 20-year limitation on the religious use of the facilities constructed with federal funds.

Analysis

The Supreme Court analyzed the Act's provisions and determined that it served a legitimate secular purpose by providing opportunities for higher education. The Court found that the colleges had not violated the statutory restrictions and that there was no evidence that religion permeated the secular education provided. However, the 20-year limitation on the religious use of the facilities was deemed unconstitutional as it effectively allowed for the potential contribution of valuable property to religious institutions after that period.

The Supreme Court analyzed the Act's provisions and determined that it served a legitimate secular purpose by providing opportunities for higher education.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court vacated the lower court's decision and remanded the case, holding that the Act is constitutional except for the 20-year limitation on the religious use of federally financed facilities.

The Supreme Court vacated the lower court's decision and remanded the case, holding that the Act is constitutional except for the 20-year limitation on the religious use of federally financed facilities.

Who won?

The prevailing party was the taxpayers, as the Supreme Court found the 20-year limitation unconstitutional, although the remainder of the Act was upheld.

The prevailing party was the taxpayers, as the Supreme Court found the 20-year limitation unconstitutional, although the remainder of the Act was upheld.

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