12/29/2015 ­ The Winfield Daily Courier: Courier Views

“The Kansas Supreme Court has upheld its own constitutional authority. By ruling against a law that would have diminished that authority, the court told the legislature to stay in its place. Several new conservative voices, including those of Justice Caleb Stegall and House Speaker Ray Merrick, have implied that the court, too, should stay in its place.

“Without being specific, they suggest the principle of separation of powers should keep the courts from ‘interfering’ with school funding.

“This might be considered consistent.

“But when it comes to the Constitution’s requirement for ‘suitable’ school funding, the court cannot close its eyes. When a lawsuit comes to it alleging the funding provided by the legislature and the governor is not suitable, the court must rule according to the Constitution as it interprets it…