Bush legacy in court's hands; The Florida Supreme Court will decide whether school vouchers are constitutional.(B SECTION)

Byline: JOE FOLLICK CAPITAL BUREAU

TALLAHASSEE -- For more than a decade, Jeb Bush has portrayed vouchers as a linchpin in an education revolution that would save Florida's schoolchildren from lackluster public schools. That legacy may not last past his final year in office.

After two defeats in lower courts, the Florida Supreme Court is the last stop on June 7 for the constitutionality of using taxpayer money to send children to religious schools.

And, saying lax oversight of the plan allows illegal fleecing of government money, lawmakers killed a major expansion of vouchers this year.

Last week, Bush downplayed the role of vouchers in rising FCAT scores among Florida's schools and students.

"The voucher element is a small part of a broad strategy to create a climate for rising student achievement," Bush said.

That's a shift from years of Bush's evangelical zeal for vouchers.

"Clearly, he's probably recognized that the luster has worn off the idea," said Sen. Ron Klein, D-Boca …