What was outcome of Legislature’s $100,000-a-day fine?

After reading the April 4 Herald story, “Lawmakers tell court they’ve met their school-funding mandate,” it brought back the memory of watching the $100,000-a-day fine accruing and updating everyday in this paper. Being a teacher’s spouse, this opinion-page statistic was painful and embarrassing to watch.

I am an avid daily reader, and do not recall the outcome. What was the final total of the fine? Who received it? Who paid it? Or was it forgiven and written off?

Ken Gross

Everett

Editor’s note: The Legislature, in its most recent session, set aside $105.2 million in the supplemental budget to pay the fine, as The Herald reported March 28. However, the fine technically continues to accrue daily until the state Supreme Court decides if lawmakers have met the court’s mandate regarding school funding and are no longer in contempt. The Legislature submitted its report to the court April 9. Action by the court, either a hearing or an order, could come later this spring.

Money from the fine is to be spent at elementary and secondary schools. Taxpayers, ultimately, will pay the tab.