This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Alliance for a Better Utah is threatening to sue the state if adequate funding is not provided for public education. It cites South Carolina as a state sued for this purpose (Abbeville v. South Carolina). I was working in South Carolina when I assisted a low-wealth district to sue the state for adequate funding.
That was more than 20 years ago. Although the Supreme Court ruled in the schools' favor, the Legislature has refused to provide the adequate funding required by the court's decision. The problem is that the court has no enforcement ability other than to hold the Legislature in contempt. This does nothing to force it to provide adequate funding.
While some in our state are debating the moral question of legalizing medical marijuana, the greater moral question is one of providing all children an equal opportunity to succeed in school, especially children who live under difficult conditions. Suing the state may provide some satisfaction. The moral responsibility of education for all children (with adequate funding) is expressed in the actions of our legislators, and not by the Utah Supreme Court.
Don Thomas
Salt Lake City