Arr, the Arkansas high court be backing Cap'n Sanders and the scurvy state lawmakers in the education shenanigans, matey!
2023-10-12
Arrr, the Arkansas Supreme Court be givin' a jolly good nod to a procedural vote, lettin' the grand education overhaul of Cap'n Sarah Sanders set sail without delay. Aye, the winds o' change be blowin' in favor of our Republican crew!
The Arkansas Supreme Court has upheld the procedural vote that allowed Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' education overhaul to take effect immediately, dismissing a judge's ruling that raised concerns about the way state laws are fast-tracked into enforcement. The court's decision, with a majority vote of 6-1, does not impact the education law that the Republican governor signed in March, which is already in effect. This law established a new school voucher program, increased minimum teacher salaries, and imposed restrictions on classroom instruction related to sexual orientation and gender identity for students up to fifth grade.The ruling rejects the argument that the Legislature violated the state constitution by voting for the measure to take effect immediately. Opponents of the law contended that the emergency clause for the law, which requires a two-thirds vote, should have been addressed separately from the legislation. However, the court determined that the approach taken for the education law was constitutional, as the votes for the bill and its emergency clause were recorded separately in the House and Senate journals.
Governor Sanders celebrated the ruling as a "historic victory" for Arkansas parents, teachers, and students. On the other hand, Ali Noland, an attorney for the plaintiffs challenging the law, criticized the court's decision, stating that it makes it more difficult for Arkansans to hold their government accountable for violating the state constitution.
Notably, in June, the Pulaski County judge's order blocking the law's enforcement was lifted by the justices. Without the emergency clause, the law would not have taken effect until August. Overall, the court's decision solidifies the implementation of Governor Sanders' education overhaul, leaving opponents disappointed and concerned about the implications for government accountability.