Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter recently issued a ruling on a school funding issue that has been a topic of debate in the state. The issue revolves around a law that allows school districts to carry over a portion of their annual budget into the following fiscal year.
In his ruling, Hunter determined that the law does not violate the state constitution, as some critics had argued. The law in question, known as the “carryover” provision, allows school districts to carry over up to 4% of their annual budget into the next fiscal year. This provision has been in place since 1992 and is intended to help schools plan and budget more effectively.
The ruling comes after a group of lawmakers and education advocates raised concerns about the constitutionality of the carryover provision. They argued that it violated the state constitution’s requirement that all public funds be spent within the fiscal year they are appropriated.
However, Hunter disagreed with this interpretation, stating that the carryover provision does not violate the constitution because the funds are still being used for their intended purpose – funding education. He also noted that the provision helps schools avoid budget shortfalls and plan for unexpected expenses.
The ruling has been met with mixed reactions, with some applauding Hunter for upholding the legality of the carryover provision, while others argue that the issue still needs to be addressed by the legislature. Despite the ruling, it is likely that the debate over school funding in Oklahoma will continue as lawmakers and education advocates work to find solutions to the state’s funding challenges.
Source
Photo credit news.google.com