The South Carolina Supreme Court heard arguments Friday on whether Gov. Henry McMaster has the power to direct $32 million in federal pandemic relief funds for students to attend private schools through the Safe Access to Flexible Education (SAFE) Grants program.

The program would provide one-time, need-based grants up to $6,500 to eligible mid- to low-income students to be used toward tuition at their nonpublic schools. The Blaine Amendment in South Carolina’s constitution prohibits public funds from being used for the direct benefit of private schools. The lawsuit Adams v. McMaster was filed in July by Orangeburg educator Dr. Thomasena Adams against McMaster and the conservative think tank Palmetto Promise Institute.

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