Court: Lawmakers must expedite education funding

Attorneys News

The Washington Supreme Court on Thursday ordered lawmakers to submit a complete plan by the end of April to detail how the state will fully pay for basic education.

The 8-1 ruling said that while the state made progress in last year's budget to increase funding for K-12 education, it was "not on target" to hit the constitutionally required funding level by the 2017-18 school year.

"We have no wish to be forced into entering specific funding directives to the State, or, as some state high courts have done, holding the legislature in contempt of court," read the majority opinion, written by Chief Justice Barbara Madsen. "But, it is incumbent upon the State to demonstrate, through immediate, concrete action, that it is making real and measureable progress, not simply promises."

Joining Madsen were Justices Charles Johnson, Debra Stephens, Susan Owens, Charles Wiggins, Mary Fairhurst, Steven Gonzalez and Sheryl Gordon McCloud. Justice Jim Johnson wrote a separate dissent, which was to be released at a later date.

In 2012, the high court ruled that the state is not meeting its constitutional obligation concerning education funding. That ruling was the result of a lawsuit brought by a coalition of school districts, parents and education groups, known as the McCleary case for the family named in the suit. The court has required yearly progress reports from the Legislature on its efforts. Those reports are then critiqued by the group that brought the lawsuit, and by the Supreme Court.

Related listings

  • Defamatory online posts revisited by Texas court

    Defamatory online posts revisited by Texas court

    Attorneys News 01/10/2014

    They say nothing on the Internet ever really goes away, but the Texas Supreme Court is considering whether defamatory postings might be worth the effort to try. Justices on the state's highest civil court on Thursday weighed broader questions about c...

  • Court-martial date set in Naval Academy case

    Court-martial date set in Naval Academy case

    Attorneys News 11/04/2013

    A court-martial has been scheduled for February for a U.S. Naval Academy student accused of aggravated sexual assault. Midshipman Josh Tate appeared at an arraignment Monday at the Washington Navy Yard. The court-martial is scheduled to begin Feb. 10...

  • The Law Offices of Craig Hubble - Carson Employment Law

    The Law Offices of Craig Hubble - Carson Employment Law

    Attorneys News 09/25/2013

    Carson Employment litigation attorney can assist you in determining the best solution in order for clients to seek recovery in the most efficient and effective manner. Employment litigation can come in various forms, including claims for wrongful ter...

New Rochelle, New York Personal Injury Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact Kommer, Bave & Ollman, LLP, in New Rochelle, New York, immediately. We can answer all your questions and work with you to determine if you have the grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. The attorneys at our firm are determined to resolve even the most difficult of cases. We will work closely with you to determine the best course of action to get your claim or case resolved in the most efficient way possible. We will fight for your right to compensation! No one should have to suffer a financial burden from the result of another person’s carelessness. The attorneys at Kommer, Bave & Ollman, LLP will aggressively fight to ensure that justice is served on your behalf.

Business News

New York & New Jersey Family Law Matters We represent our clients in all types of proceedings that include termination of parental rights. >> read