What Is the Blaine Amendment and Did SCOTUS Kill It?

This week, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Columbia, Mo. church-run day care center seeking state funding for some chopped-up tires for its playground surface. At issue was the Missouri Constitution's Blaine Amendment, which the state claimed prevented giving money — even for playground equipment — to a religious institution. The court ruled in favor of Trinity Lutheran Church. Was this the death knell for the little-known but widespread Blaine Amendment? Who was Blaine and would he have wanted to prevent a Midwestern day care center from padding the ground below its swing set and slide?