MS House of Representatives Adopt Alternative to Initiative 42
Jackson, MS—Today, the MS House of Representatives passed House Concurrent Resolution 9 (HCR9) providing for a legislative alternative to Initiative 42 by a vote of 64-57.
“House Republicans have been focused on designing a clear alternative to Initiative 42,” said Speaker of the House Philip Gunn. “With HCR9, focus is on educational output and accomplishments, not just funding for the sake of funding. The operative word in the alternative is effective. We want schools that are accomplishing something. We want schools that are effective.”
The alternative states: “The Legislature shall, by general law, provide for the establishment, maintenance and support of an effective system of free public schools.”
It focuses on three factors:
· Keeping the decision about funding in the hands of the voters, not a judge for whom voters cannot vote.
· Preserving the integrity of the Constitution by maintaining the separation of powers between the legislature and the judiciary.
· Focusing on educational outputs and accomplishments.
“If the legislature is removed from the process, the people are being removed from the process,” said Speaker Gunn. “Their right to say how their money is being spent is being taken away. Initiative 42 proposes to do just that—remove the people from the process and put that decision in the hands of a judge for whom the people cannot vote.”
1/13/15
Magnolia Tribune
