Texas School Coalition Lawsuit Against State Of Texas Underway
By: Dylan Brooks
Updated: October 22, 2012
AUSTIN -- A trial challenging the education finance system in Texas is underway.
Opening arguments for the Texas School Coalition lawsuit began Monday in Austin.
The coalition of 88 Texas school districts -- including several West Texas school districts -- is suing the Texas State Comptroller, saying that the state's school finance system is unconstitutional.
During opening arguments, lawyers from the coalition said that school districts lack the funding they need to meet the state's own mandates and expectations for schools.
The lawyers also said that school districts are using available taxing capacity just to meet the state requirements, since they don't have the necessary funding to meet those requirements in the first place.
Finally, lawyers for the Texas School Coalition said that the districts have no real control over setting local tax rates.
The trial is expected to last into January.
Opening arguments for the Texas School Coalition lawsuit began Monday in Austin.
The coalition of 88 Texas school districts -- including several West Texas school districts -- is suing the Texas State Comptroller, saying that the state's school finance system is unconstitutional.
During opening arguments, lawyers from the coalition said that school districts lack the funding they need to meet the state's own mandates and expectations for schools.
The lawyers also said that school districts are using available taxing capacity just to meet the state requirements, since they don't have the necessary funding to meet those requirements in the first place.
Finally, lawyers for the Texas School Coalition said that the districts have no real control over setting local tax rates.
The trial is expected to last into January.
