Judge Dismisses School Funding Lawsuit

The lawsuit filed by fourteen school districts against Governor Bob Holden over his decision to withhold money that had previously been appropriated for education has been dismissed by a judge in Jefferson City. In dismissing the case, Cole County Circuit Court Judge Richard Callahan rejects the school districts’ argument that the Governor has no authority to withhold money from education – even if revenues fall short. Attorneys for the State had argued, last week, that the Governor has an obligation to balance the budget and must withhold appropriations, if necessary. The fourteen districts – most of them from the Kansas City area – have said previously they expect the judge’s decision to be appealed to the State Supreme Court.