Deadlines set in dispute over school funding initiatives - Mississippi News Now

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Attorneys have until next week to submit arguments in a legal dispute about school funding initiatives on the November ballot.

The Mississippi Supreme Court set an April 24 deadline for briefs about whether it should hear an appeal from legislative leaders.

The citizen-led Initiative 42 would require lawmakers to fund "an adequate and efficient system of free public schools." People could appeal to court if funding falls short.

The Legislature put an alternative, Initiative 42-A, on the ballot. It originally said lawmakers must fund "an effective system of free public schools."

Circuit Judge Winston Kidd on April 2 rewrote the title of 42-A to say the Legislature should fund "effective public schools" but specify there's no court appeal.

Legislative leaders are asking the Supreme Court to reject Kidd's decision.

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