The Lege has until October 1 to fix school funding. Or else.
Judge John Dietz of Travis County ruled Tuesday that the funding system is operating as an unconstitutional state property tax and is inadequate to meet the high standards lawmakers have set for students.
He gave lawmakers until Oct. 1 to fix the system. If they fail to come up with a plan, he said he would halt state funding.
The ruling has been appealed by the state, who is asking the State Supreme Court for the review. We’ll see if the Supremes bow to the Governor’s will or not. If you’d like to see a copy of Judge Dietz’s ruling and/or finding of fact, Kimberly Reeves has one for you. Meanwhile, the Austin Chronicle reads a few tea leaves and concludes that we’re likely to get more of the same old same old anyway.