State asks Supreme Court for more time to fully fund public schools

OLYMPIA -- The state Supreme Court heard from an attorney for legislators Wednesday about their failure to meet the court’s deadline to adequately finance public schools.

The justices have threatened to hold the Legislature in contempt for not coming up with a plan for an additional $5 billion for public schools.

The lawyer representing legislators said lawmakers are genuinely working on this issue and simply needed more time.  He pleaded with the court not to impose drastic penalties.

“Finding contempt (of court) and ordering a sanction could impede progress toward the ultimate resolution,” said Alan Copsey, counsel for the state.

The justices sounded skeptical about Copsey’s request for more time to come up with a funding plan.

“In January we said come up with a plan.  That didn’t happen,” said Justice Charles Wiggins.  “Now we’re saying come up with a plan, and you say wait, wait, we need more time.  It’s been said that insanity is defined as, you know, doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.”



A lawyer representing students and parents urged the justices to hold the Legislature’s feet to the fire until they start making meaningful progress on funding schools.

“Every day, every year that we just keep talking about this, we’re losing kids,” said Thomas Ahearne.  “They lose forever another year of their education.”

The justices will deliberate over the next several weeks before deciding on whether to issues sanctions against the Legislature or wait to see if lawmakers make progress during their upcoming session in January.