Miss. Supreme Court hears appeal over school funding
Former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, arguing for the districts, was defending his legacy. He guided the adequate education program into law as lieutenant governor in 1997. He said must obey the laws they pass.
“There are all kinds of statutory provisions that the Legislature must comply with, unless they change the law,” he said.
Musgrove also argues the funding formula is legally strengthened by the state constitution, which says “The Legislature shall, by general law, provide for the establishment, maintenance and support of free public schools upon such conditions and limitations as the Legislature may prescribe.”
Assistant Attorney General Justin Matheny, arguing for the state, disagreed. He said the law is only an “aspirational goal” and that each year’s Legislature “can ignore” the formula’s mandates, even without changing the law.
Clarion Ledger
5/17/17
Magnolia Tribune
