[Drango]

Some states have a 'statutory precedence' clause or some similar construct

OK, but the court didn't have to rule that one clause was "better" than another and then reduce the constitutional rquirement from 2/3 to a majority.

The courts (and the legislature) can fund schools by REDUCING SPENDING in other areas. This is so like, Duh!

[AntiGuv]

I'm definitely not arguing that the court did the right thing, just that I don't know enough to know what to really think.. LOL. I wouldn't even remark on the matter if I hadn't been pinged..

[pogo101]

I've read the two opinions in the court case. Neither one so much as mentions the possibility of reducing spending (presumably in areas other than education). So you're dead on: what's so shocking, and so telling, about the opinions is the presumption that budget-balancing in the face of a projected deficit can only be done one way, by upping taxes.

[Atlas Sneezed]

"The courts (and the legislature) can fund schools by REDUCING SPENDING in other areas. This is so like, Duh!"

They can also fund schools by doing so frugally. There is no reason that the bloated education budget increases are needed to "fund education."