By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – A fight over using public money for a Catholic university is now before The Missouri Supreme Court. The case involves Saint Louis University, which wants $8 million in public money in the form of tax-increment financing for its new planned basketball arena.
But opponents argue the funding would violate church/state separation provisions in both the U.S. and Missouri constitutions.
While school officials say they are not downplaying the university's Jesuit heritage, they've sparked a debate by arguing that Saint Louis University is not controlled by the Jesuits or the Catholic Church.
KWMU's Matt Sepic prepared this report for NPR's All Things Considered. To hear the report, click here.