Cullman County to put ‘In God We Trust’ on schools
The Cullman County school system voted Thursday to put “In God We Trust” on school buildings. The Cullman Times reports that the Cullman County School Board on Thursday unanimously approved a resolution to display the motto at all county schools. The action comes after the Alabama Legislature this year voted to allow the motto’s use on schools, courthouses and other public property “Some people may disagree with it, but the Legislature voted to allow it,” Superintendent Shane Barnette told newspaper. “I think it’s important for students to know the history and how this came about in our nation’s early years.” Brock Boone, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama, told the newspaper that the display could make some feel unwelcome. “I think it is unfortunate the county school board wants to make people who disagree, or may not be religious, or of a different faith feel alienated,” said Brock Boone, an attorney for the ACLU in Alabama. “If someone wants to attend a private religious school, then that’s fine to post it.” It is not known how many school systems have taken action to display the motto since Alabama lawmakers approved the legislation. The Alabama legislation is not a mandate. Tennessee lawmakers this spring approved legislation that requires the motto’s prominent display inside all public schools.
Census Bureau to respond to Alabama lawsuit in fall
The federal government has until mid-November to respond to Alabama’s lawsuit seeking to exclude immigrants living in the country illegally from U.S. Census counts. A federal judge last week gave the U.S. Department of Commerce and Census Bureau an extension until Nov. 13 to reply to the lawsuit. Lawyers had said the Department of Justice components needed additional time to finish “evaluating the arguments that the government will make in this matter.” Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall filed the lawsuit against the federal government in June. Marshall argues the immigrants should not be included in census counts used to distribute congressional district. The lawsuit contends Alabama is at risk to lose a congressional seat, and thus an electoral vote, to a state with a “larger illegal alien population.” Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
