Kansas House to Debate Plan Targeting School Lawsuit

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Kansas House members are preparing to debate

a proposed amendment to the state constitution aimed at blocking

lawsuits over education funding.

The measure on Tuesday’s agenda would declare that courts or the

executive branch couldn’t direct the Legislature to appropriate

money. The proposal is backed by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback and

GOP leaders in both chambers.

The Kansas Constitution currently says the state cannot spend

any money unless the Legislature makes a specific appropriation.

But in decisions in a school finance lawsuit in 2005 and 2006, the

state Supreme Court told lawmakers they had to increase aid to

public schools. The court also set specific figures.

Kansas faces another lawsuit from students and parents in four

school districts, arguing that budget cuts in recent years have

resulted in inadequate funding.