Attorney for state tells judge school funding is ‘political question’

Several hundred teachers, parents and students gathered outside the Senate and House chambers March 5, 2017 to protest proposed cuts to public schools and state universities. /Photo by Rachel Leingang/Arizona Capitol Times.

By Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services via Arizona Capitol Times

An attorney for the state told a judge Friday he has no legal right to hear a complaint that the Legislature is not providing enough funds for schools.

“This is a political question,” Brett Johnson told Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Daniel Martin.

More to the point, Johnson said the process is working, citing the proposal made just three days earlier by Gov. Doug Ducey to put more money into school funding.

Johnson said the governor and the Legislature are working “very diligently” to resolve these issues, adding the “experts” in this area should be given the opportunity to deal with the question rather than having it decided by the courts.

“There is a solution on the table,” Johnson said.

In fact, Johnson has a backup plan already in place should Martin refuse to throw out the lawsuit filed by several school districts, education groups and taxpayers: He wants the judge to put the case on the back burner until lawmakers get a chance to address the governor’s proposal.

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