Judge says Texas school funding formula is unconstitutional

A judge has ruled that Texas does not adequately or efficiently fund public schools — and that it has created an unconstitutional de-facto property tax in shifting the burden of paying for schools to the local level. The Texas Tribune says the decision gives more than 600 school districts a victory on all of their major claims against the state's school finance system. Judge John Dietz, issued the ruling from the bench shortly after the state finished its closing arguments in the lengthy trial. After the ruling, Texas Education Agency Commissioner Michael Williams issued a statement emphasizing that the ruling is "simply one step on this litigation’s path." The case is expected to eventually be decided by the Texas Supreme Court.