TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A majority of the Kansas Supreme Court expressed skepticism Tuesday that the Legislature and governor raised public school funding enough in the short-term to comply with the state constitution, suggesting they could be wrestling this summer with providing more money and possibly increasing taxes.
The court is reviewing a law passed this spring by the Republican-led Legislature and signed by GOP Gov. Jeff Colyer that will phase in a $548 million education funding increase over five years. Its the second funding boost in two years, but four school districts suing the state argue that it still falls as much as $1.5 billion short of being adequate.
The court heard arguments from attorneys, and within minutes of starting, Justice Dan Biles said Kansas would wait until five years from now to fund what would be adequate this year. Justice Lee Johnson later echoed that sentiment.
