As published here Jan. 24, 2014 in the Tacoma News Tribune

Court dictates school funding? What’s next?

By MIKE PADDEN, MATT MANWELLER AND TERRY NEALEY

There is a clear principle outlined in the Washington Constitution, based on our federal model, called the separation of powers. This is the system of checks and balances in our government structure that maintains a balance of power and separates responsibilities between the three branches – legislative, judicial and executive.

Each branch has separate functions and may not commandeer the duties and authority of another branch.

Funding K-12 education is a constitutional mandate directed specifically to the Legislature, not the state Supreme Court. No matter how much we all support education, all three branches of government must exercise decisions in a manner that respects the law. However, the court ignored the separation of powers in its January 2012 ruling on McCleary v. Washington. Continue reading →