A lawsuit filed in Texas accuses the Higher Education Coordinating Board of violating the First Amendment by restricting religious students from participating in state-funded work-study programs. The lawsuit argues that the prohibition against 'sectarian activities' and exclusion of religious organizations discriminates against religious students and institutions.
The lawsuit seeks to force the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s commissioner and board members to end three university work-study programs that Paxton’s office claims unconstitutionally discriminates against religious students.
Filed in a Travis County district court, the lawsuit alleges that the board is violating the First Amendment by prohibiting work-study participants from “engaging in sectarian activities, including sectarian courses of study,” to receive state benefits. The Texas College Work-Study Program, the Texas Working Off-Campus: Reinforcing Knowledge and Skills Internship Program and the Innovative Adult Career Education Grant Program are all funded by the state and controlled by the coordinating board. The programs provide financially needy students with jobs and support that help them afford attending college in Texas. Institutes and employers must give eligible students employment in “nonpartisan and non-sectarian activities,” which the lawsuit argues is a violation of the First Amendment because it excludes religious organizations with only sectarian employment opportunities from receiving state funds. The lawsuit also says that prohibiting students enrolled in seminary programs from participating amounts to a “wholesale exclusion” of people that the U.S. Supreme Court has consistently ruled against. “These anti-Christian laws targeting religious students must be completely wiped off the books,” Paxton said in a statement. “Our nation was built by patriotic Americans who had the freedom to express their religious beliefs without fear of being targeted, and we will honor that heritage by upholding the First Amendment in Texas.”For the 2026 fiscal year, the coordinating board had more than $8 million for state work-study programs for all of Texas’ public and private institutions of higher education.❄️ Discover the one place where SE Texas actually feels like winterHumble ISD school marshal pilot program will allow some employees to carry guns on campusEx-wife admits to lying about Houston astronaut hacking her bank account from spaceTariffs driving up prices on Christmas trees, decor, lights. Here’s how to save▶Drought Worsens Across SE Texas — Rain on the HorizonDROUGHT UPDATE: Houston continues to need rainLong Line Forms at Houston Food Pantry as Families Wait for AssistancePearland Dawson volleyball team headed to state semifinalsEpstein email says Trump ‘knew about the girls,’ but White House says release is a Democratic smearEpstein email says Trump ‘knew about the girls,’ but White House says release is a Democratic smearSuspect in Michigan double murder was out on bond in Harris County, records showHouston family loses home to fire caused by faulty wiringGET TO KNOW: Houston independent journalist Grizzy, the woman behind Grizzy's Hood NewsThe scene from KPRC 2 Chief Meteorologist Anthony Yanez's visit to a Houston school!Meet Grizzy’s Hood News: Houston’s most powerful voice on social mediaHouston neighborhood redefining 'growing local' by growing fresh and healthy produceExplaining the phenomenon of Northern Lights!Dermatologist explains how rapid weather changes impact the skinCy-Fair mom demands crossing guard after 14-year-old hit in crosswalk near schoolsPasadena mother faces uncertain future after ICE detains husband, brotherSon of former Kendleton mayor arrested, indicted on child sex crime chargesThe cloud that airplanes accidentally inventedAre Hurricanes and Typhoons the same thing?Hormone replacement therapy is no longer labeled as dangerous. Should you take them?
Texas Lawsuit Work-Study Religious Discrimination First Amendment
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Texas Faces Multiple Challenges: Food Assistance at Risk, Local Issues Emerge, and Community MattersThis news summary covers a broad range of issues impacting the Houston area and the state of Texas. It highlights the potential loss of food assistance for millions due to a possible government shutdown, examines local issues like abandoned homes and community successes, and reports on a variety of other developments from local government investigations and weather forecasts to local athlete achievements.
Read more »
Texas A&M University professors now need approval for some race and gender topicsTexas A&M University System regents on Thursday adopted a new policy requiring professors to first get approval to discuss some race and gender topics.
Read more »
Texas A&M University professors now need approval for some race and gender topicsThe change comes months after a viral video of a student confronting an instructor over her lessons on gender identity threw the campus into upheaval.
Read more »
Texas A&M University professors now need approval for some race and gender topicsTexas A&M University System regents on Thursday adopted a new policy requiring professors to first get approval to discuss some race and gender topics. The change comes months after a viral video of a student confronting an instructor over her lessons on gender identity threw the campus into upheaval.
Read more »
Texas A&M University professors now need approval for some race and gender topicsTexas A&M University System regents on Thursday adopted a new policy requiring professors to first get approval to discuss some race and gender topics.
Read more »
Tuskegee University Challenges AVMA over Veterinary College AccreditationTuskegee University, a historically Black university, sued the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) to prevent a hearing that could have stripped the university's veterinary college of its accreditation. The university has since welcomed the AVMA's decision to reconsider its procedures.
Read more »