INDIANAPOLIS – Today the Indiana Supreme Court heard oral argument in a legal challenge to the constitutionality of Indiana’s choice scholarships law, often called the school vouchers law, House Enrolled Act 1003 of 2011 (Public Law 92). The Supreme Court agreed to hear the appeal directly, bypassing the Indiana Court of Appeals, after Marion County Superior Court Judge Michael Keele on January 13 ruled in favor of the State.

As lawyer for state government, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller’s Office is defending the scholarships statute from the plaintiffs’ legal challenge. Zoeller today issued this statement:

“In designing this voluntary program to broaden the educational options for Hoosier children, the people’s elected representatives in the Legislature followed the Indiana Constitution by leaving the decision whether and where to use a scholarship to qualifying students and their families. Legal challenges to test new statutes are a normal and healthy part of the process and we appreciate the opportunity in this important case to address the Court’s questions as to the constitutionality of choice scholarships,” Zoeller said.

Indiana Solicitor General Thomas M. Fisher argued the State’s case today in the Indiana Supreme Court in the lawsuit, Meredith et al v. Daniels et al. The Court took the case under advisement and is expected to rule at a later date.

NOTE: The State Defendants’ Appellee Brief, filed April 11 in the Indiana Supreme Court, is attached.