The state Supreme Court is giving state lawmakers more time to comply with its contempt order in the McCleary case.
Chief Justice Barbara Madsen filed an order Thursday giving the Legislature until the end of the special session to take steps necessary to avoid further punishment.
“Because the legislature is in special session and there has not been final action on either the budget or McCleary-related bills, the court’s consideration of contempt sanctions and other remedial measures will continue to be held in abeyance until the adjournment of the 2015 legislative special session,” Madsen wrote in the two-page order.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson released the order. It comes three days after he asked the court for additional time.
His office’s 17-page filing acknowledged lawmakers did not do what the court demanded in 2014 and prompted the finding of contempt in September.
The filing argued the proposed House and Senate budgets each contain the money needed to pay for student transportation, all-day kindergarten and smaller class sizes in kindergarten through third grade as required in the McCleary case. There’s also enough for materials, supplies and operating costs at each school
And it points out there are pending bills on levy reform and teacher compensations considered necessary to satisfy the court as well.
The special session, which began Wednesday, can last up to 30 days.
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