School Finance Lawsuits Provide an Out for Lawmakers
While the courts hold a big piece of the state budget hostage, they are also clearing the way for other issues to dominate next year’s legislative session.
The state is being sued over its financing for public schools. This is a periodic event driven by the cleverness of school administrators and others who, over time, figure out how to make the most of financing formulas. Gradually, the system goes out of balance, and the losers — the school districts that don’t get as much money — sue to level things out.
The lawsuits now pending in state court — testimony started ...
Comments (5)
Texas RMS
If they had been true statesmen, they would have fixed the school finance issues themselves rather that letting the courts do it. But then we haven't had a true statesmen in many years. That requires bold leadership without regard for personal gain and without fear of what the backlash might mean for a political career. It means standing tall in the face of opposition whether it is from your own party or outside. It means working across the aisle in order to achieve the common good. Where are you? We need you desperately!
Stuart Greenfield
In my early years as a state employee, I thought that our legislators were just a bunch of parsimonious (fill in the blank) _________________ , as the courts, Judge Sarah T. Hughes, Judge William Wayne Justice, were always directing the leg to undertake corrective actions. In fact, the state's attorney generals were more known for losing significant cases, Welfare, Prisons, School Finance, than victory. After some years of thought, it finally dawned on me that these guys were applying modern finance theory, time value of money, to their efforts and fully recognized that a dollar spent today is worth more than a dollar spent years from now, so they go to court and postpone spending the needed dollars. I would hope our graduate schools of business will consider awarding an honorary MBA to the entire legislature in perpetuity.
Everyone have a good holiday, as Santa will be depositing a pile of $'s come January, http://www.texasfiscal.info .
Michelle Michon via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Idiots. The Republicans don't care about our children.
Charles A. Siller via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Au contraire, they've introduced legislation to allow teachers to pack heat. Probably as long as the teachers buy their own ammo.
Michelle Michon via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Please refer to our State Constitution, Article 7.