NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department says parents of Louisiana students attending private schools with taxpayer-funded tuition vouchers should not be allowed to intervene in a legal case linking the voucher issue to desegregation orders.

The department filed a federal court motion in September claiming new vouchers should not be issued in school districts under longstanding federal desegregation orders unless approved by a judge.

Parents and an organization supporting vouchers recently sought to intervene in the case.

Justice lawyers said Tuesday that the parents have no cause to intervene because the motion doesn't threaten existing vouchers, and because the motion doesn't seek to end the voucher program — only to make sure it complies with desegregation orders.

Gov. Bobby Jindal, a voucher proponent, accused Justice lawyers Wednesday of trying to "muzzle" parents.

 

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