The Kansas Supreme Court has just ordered the Legislature to

[atommom]

appropriate another $143 million to Kansas schools by July 1. I'm glad to hear it, but I'm sure the Reps will be furious!

Edited to add story excerpt and link:

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Supreme Court today ordered the Legislature to double the amount of new dollars the state spends on public schools during the next school year.

The decision means legislators will have to provide an additional $143 million on top of the $142 million they provided earlier this year.

The total in new dollars would be $285 million. It was a stunning setback for Republican legislative leaders who had not expected the court to tell them exactly how much money to spend.

In addition, the court ordered the Legislature to come up with the money by July 1, a decision that requires the first special legislative session in more than 15 years.

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2005/jun/03/schoolfinance/?breaking

[sarcasmo]

1. Are you sure that money isn't earmarked to teach Creationism?

[atommom]

2. Shhh! Don't give them any ideas!

[clydefrand]

3. To buy autographed Bibles!

[DanCa]

4. I am sure the rethugs are furious.

I bet the more intelligence that a person has the less likely they will vote for the chimp and company.

[atommom]

6. I think that's a big part of it. They hate public education because

too much emphasis on learning and critical thinking can lead to liberalism!

[BlueJazz]

5. To hire 200 Fundamentalist Teachers.

"Out!..Foul Science Books!

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. That would mean they are paying these teachers

over $1 million each.

I could be a fundamentalist teacher. Maybe for only one year, but I think I could do that for a million $$.

[tsuki]

7. This has come up before. The argument is that the courts (judiciary

branch) is now legislating by raising taxes (revenue, legislative branch.) If they are underfunding the schools by siphoning off mandated money, then it seems the courts would have a say. But if they are legislating an increase, there will be a "constitutional" yowl.

I remember reading about it in the 80's, and there was a whole lot of yowling going on. Don't remember how it was resolved.

[damntexdem]

8. Imagine the nerve of those activist (GOP) judges:

expecting the legislature to follow the state constitution!