No. 14-0776
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MIKE MORATH, COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY; GLENN HEGAR, TEXAS COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY; THE TEXAS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION; AND THE TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY v. THE TEXAS TAXPAYER AND STUDENT FAIRNESS COALITION, ET AL.; CALHOUN COUNTY ISD, ET AL.; EDGEWOOD ISD, ET AL.; FORT BEND ISD, ET AL.; TEXAS CHARTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION, ET AL.; AND JOYCE COLEMAN, ET AL.

Oral argument was held on September 1, 2015. The Court issued an opinion resolving the case on May 13, 2016. File Closed

In the news...

Tracking 18 articles about this case.

May 20, 2016

Who fixes school finance now?

Read article

from Texas Tribune

The Court has issued opinions:

Opinion of the Court

Concurring

May 13, 2016

School finance: The State wins; the ISDs lose; the Legislature now has a wider range of options to reform the system

Read article

from SCOTXblog

May 13, 2016

Texas Supreme Court Upholds School Funding System

Read article

from Texas Tribune

May 13, 2016

Texas school finance system is legal, Supreme Court rules

Read article

from Austin American-Statesman

January 2, 2016

What to expect from high-profile Texas court cases in 2016

Read article

from SCOTXblog

September 2, 2015

Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Most Epic School Finance Showdown Yet

Read article

from Texas Observer

September 1, 2015

Texas Supreme Court Hearing School Finance Appeal

Read article

from Texas Tribune

August 31, 2015

Preview of the first September argument sitting

Read article

from SCOTXblog

This article also mentions 6 other cases.

August 28, 2015

School Finance on Trial: Texas Supremes to hear arguments Sept. 1 - News - The Austin Chronicle

Read article

from Austin Chronicle

August 27, 2015

Pastors File Texas Supreme Court Brief to Declare Public School System Unconstitutional

Read article

from Breitbart News

August 17, 2015

Analysis: Education Funding With a Judicial Assist

Read article

from Texas Tribune

January 23, 2015

Texas Supreme Court agrees to hear school finance case

Read article

from Austin American-Statesman

January 23, 2015

Texas Supreme Court to hear public school finance case later this year

Read article

from Dallas Morning News

January 23, 2015

SCOTX to decide the future of Texas school finance [Jan. 23, 2015]

Read article

from SCOTXblog

January 23, 2015

High Court May Not Decide School Case Until 2016

Read article

from Texas Tribune

January 16, 2015

Fate of School Finance Delayed

Read article

from Austin Chronicle

October 5, 2014

School finance litigation returns to the Texas Supreme Court

Read article

from SCOTXblog

September 26, 2014

AG to Appeal School Finance Ruling to Supreme Court

Read article

from Texas Tribune

Opinions

May 13, 2016

Justice Willett delivered the opinion of the Court. PDF

Justice Boyd delivered a concurring opinion, in which Justice Lehrmann and Justice Devine joined.View Electronic Briefs | Oral Argument | Video PDF

Justice Guzman delivered a concurring opinion, in which Justice Lehrmann joined. PDF

Court of Appeals

None

Trial Court

Trial Court:	200th District Court
County:	Travis
Trial Judge:	Honorable John K. Dietz
Trial Docket:	D-1-GN-11-003130

Entries on SCOTX Orders Lists

January 23, 2015

July 3, 2015

August 7, 2015

August 14, 2015

May 13, 2016

Docket Entries

Date	Event	Outcome
2016-06-24	Mandate issued
2016-05-18	Letter sent to parties from Supreme Court - See Remarks
2016-05-13	Concurring Opinion issued.	Issued
2016-05-13	Concurring Opinion issued.	Issued
2016-05-13	Opinion issued	Issued
2016-05-13	Opinion issued	Issued
2016-05-13	Opinion issued	TRIAL COURT IS AFF/PT AND REV/PT
2016-05-13	Opinion issued	Issued
2016-05-13	Court approved judgment sent to attorneys of record	Issued
2016-03-28	Amicus Curiae Brief received
	This case was awaiting the Court's decision after oral argument between February 1, 2016 and March 28, 2016.
2016-02-01	Amicus Curiae Letter Received
2016-02-01	Amicus Curiae Letter Received
2016-01-18	Letter Filed
2016-01-07	Amicus Curiae Letter Received
	This case was awaiting the Court's decision after oral argument between October 7, 2015 and January 7, 2016.
2015-10-07	Post submission brief filed (Appellant in case)
2015-09-16	Post submission brief filed (Appellee in case)
2015-09-08	Amicus Curiae Brief received
2015-09-01	Oral argument
2015-09-01	Oral argument
2015-09-01	Oral argument
2015-09-01	Oral argument
2015-09-01	Amicus Curiae Brief received
2015-09-01	Exhibits in case/cause filed (Appellee in case)
2015-08-31	Exhibits in case/cause filed (Appellee in case)
2015-08-26	Amicus Curiae Brief received
2015-08-26	Amicus Curiae Brief received
2015-08-25	Amicus Curiae Brief received
2015-08-25	Amicus Curiae Brief received
2015-08-25	Letter brief (Appellant in case)
2015-08-21	Amicus Curiae Brief received
2015-08-21	Amicus Curiae Brief received
2015-08-21	Amended Brief filed
2015-08-21	Amicus Curiae Brief received
2015-08-18	Amicus Curiae Brief received
2015-08-17	Amicus Curiae Brief received
2015-08-17	Corrected Brief
2015-08-14	Amicus Curiae Brief received
2015-08-14	Amicus Curiae Brief received
2015-08-14	Oral Argument Submission Form from Attorney received
2015-08-14	Miscellaneous motion disposed. See Remarks.	Filing granted
2015-08-13	Pro hac vice motion filed
2015-08-13	Pro hac vice motion disposed	Filing granted
2015-08-13	Miscellaneous motion disposed. See Remarks.	Filing granted
2015-08-13	Pro hac vice motion disposed	Filing granted
2015-08-13	Phone call from Clerk's Office
2015-08-13	Pro hac vice motion disposed	Filing granted
2015-08-13	Pro hac vice motion disposed	Filing granted
2015-08-13	Pro hac vice motion disposed	Filing granted
2015-08-13	Pro hac vice motion disposed	Filing granted
2015-08-12	Reply Brief (Intervenor)
2015-08-12	Motion for leave to file brief disposed	Filing granted
2015-08-11	Oral Argument Submission Form from Attorney received
2015-08-11	Motion for leave to file brief
2015-08-11	Reply Brief (Appellant in case)
2015-08-11	Reply Brief (Appellant in case)
2015-08-11	Notice of Appearance
2015-08-11	Miscellaneous Motion
2015-08-11	Amicus Curiae Brief received
2015-08-11	Reply Brief (Appellant in case)
2015-08-11	Miscellaneous Motion
2015-08-10	Supplement to Clerk's/Reporter's Record
2015-08-10	Amicus Curiae Brief received
2015-08-10	Amicus Curiae Brief received
2015-08-07	Pro hac vice motion filed
2015-08-07	Pro hac vice motion filed
2015-08-07	Amicus Curiae Brief received
2015-08-07	Electronic communication sent to Party
2015-08-07	Pro hac vice motion filed
2015-08-07	Pro hac vice motion filed
2015-08-07	Case set for oral argument	Case set for oral argument
2015-08-07	Pro hac vice motion filed
2015-08-06	Amicus Curiae Brief received
2015-08-06	Notice from attorney regarding vacation dates
2015-08-05	Oral Argument Submission Form from Attorney received
2015-08-04	Oral Argument Submission Form from Attorney received
2015-08-03	Oral Argument Submission Form from Attorney received
2015-08-03	Oral Argument Submission Form from Attorney received
2015-08-03	Letter Filed
2015-08-03	Letter Filed
2015-08-03	Letter Filed
2015-08-03	Letter Filed
2015-08-03	Oral Argument Submission Form from Attorney received
2015-07-31	Letter sent to parties from Supreme Court - See Remarks
2015-07-21	Amicus Curiae Letter Received
2015-07-20	CD / Flash Drive Filed
2015-07-16	Miscellaneous motion disposed. See Remarks.	Filing granted
2015-07-16	Miscellaneous motion disposed. See Remarks.	Filing granted
2015-07-10	Electronic communication received from Party
2015-07-09	Letter Filed
2015-07-03	Case set for oral argument	Case set for oral argument
2015-07-03	Motion to substitute disposed	Filing granted
2015-07-03	Case set for oral argument	Case set for oral argument
2015-07-03	Case set for oral argument	Case set for oral argument
2015-07-03	Miscellaneous Motion
2015-07-03	Case set for oral argument	Case set for oral argument
2015-07-02	Brief on the Merits (Appellee in case)
2015-07-02	Brief on the Merits (Appellee in case)
2015-07-02	Brief on the Merits (Appellee in case)
2015-07-02	Brief on the Merits (Appellee in case)
2015-07-02	Miscellaneous Motion
2015-07-02	Brief on the Merits (Appellee in case)
2015-07-02	Brief on the Merits (Appellee in case)
2015-07-02	Brief on the Merits (Appellee in case)
2015-07-02	Brief on the Merits (Appellee in case)
2015-07-01	Motion to Substitute filed
2015-06-04	CD / Flash Drive Filed
2015-06-03	Notice from attorney regarding vacation dates
2015-06-03	Miscellaneous motion disposed. See Remarks.	Filing granted
2015-06-02	Miscellaneous Motion
2015-06-02	Letter Filed
2015-05-01	Miscellaneous motion disposed. See Remarks.	Filing granted
2015-04-29	Miscellaneous Motion
2015-04-29	Miscellaneous motion disposed. See Remarks.	Filing granted
2015-04-29	Exhibits in case/cause filed (Appellant in case)
2015-04-14	Miscellaneous Motion
2015-04-13	Brief on the Merits (Appellant in case)
2015-04-13	Brief on the Merits (Appellant in case)
2015-04-13	Brief on the Merits (Appellant in case)
2015-04-13	Brief on the Merits (Appellant in case)
2015-04-10	Motion to withdraw disposed of	Filing granted
2015-03-31	Phone call from Clerk's Office
2015-03-30	Motion to Withdraw Filed
	This case was waiting for oral argument between January 23, 2015 and March 30, 2015.
2015-01-23	Direct Appeal Grant
2015-01-23	Miscellaneous motion disposed. See Remarks.	Filing granted
2015-01-23	Direct Appeal Grant
2015-01-23	Direct Appeal disposed	Jurisdiction noted in Direct Appeal.
2015-01-23	Direct Appeal Grant
2015-01-23	Direct Appeal disposed	Jurisdiction noted in Direct Appeal.
2015-01-23	Direct Appeal disposed	Jurisdiction noted in Direct Appeal.
2015-01-23	Direct Appeal Grant
2015-01-23	Direct Appeal disposed	Jurisdiction noted in Direct Appeal.
2015-01-16	Notice of Appearance
2015-01-12	Electronic communication received from Party
2015-01-09	Statement of Jurisidiction
2015-01-08	Adoption by another party of brief already filed
2015-01-08	Adoption by another party of brief already filed
2015-01-06	Statement of Jurisidiction
2015-01-06	Clerk's Record
2015-01-06	Miscellaneous Motion
2015-01-05	Notice received
2014-12-30	Electronic communication received from Party
2014-12-30	Electronic communication sent to Party
2014-12-23	Court reporter/recorder's record
	This case was waiting for the parties to file a formal petition between October 14, 2014 and December 23, 2014.
2014-10-14	Notice from attorney regarding vacation dates
2014-10-09	Direct Appeal filed (Appellant in case)
2014-10-06	Direct Appeal filed (Appellant in case)
2014-10-03	Direct Appeal filed (Appellant in case)
2014-09-26	Direct Appeal filed (Appellant in case)

Parties

Party

Counsel

Role

Texas State Board of Education

Mr. Rance L. Craft

Appellant

The Texas Taxpayer & Student Fairness Coalition

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Mr. Doug W. Ray

Ms. Toni Hunter

Mr. Richard Gray IV

Mr. Randall Buck Wood

Appellee

Texas Education Agency

Mr. Rance L. Craft

Appellant

Williams, Michael

Mr. Jonathan F. Mitchell

Attorney General Greg W. Abbott

Mr. Evan S. Greene

Mr. Kristofer S. Monson

Ms. Nichole Beth Bunker-Henderson

Mr. Rance L. Craft

Mr. Daniel T. Hodge

Ms. Beth Ellen Klusmann

Ms. Shelley Nieto Dahlberg

Appellant

Texas Charter School Association

Mr. Joseph E. Hoffer

Mr. Robert Allen Schulman

Denise Pierce

Mr. James C. Ho

Appellee

Greenville I.S.D. (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

Galena Park I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

San Antonio I.S.D. (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

Carathage I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Lamar Consolidated I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Round Rock I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Randy Pittenger (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

Balmorhea I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Shelby Davidson (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

Graford I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Texas Association of Business (Coleman party group)

Mr. James Christopher Diamond

Appellee

Angleton I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Yolanda Canales (Edgewood ISD party group)

Mr. David G. Hinojosa

Appellee

Royal I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Lee Beall (Coleman party group)

Mr. James Christopher Diamond

Appellee

Pearland I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Allen I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Dana Allen (Tex. Charter Schs. Assoc. party group)

Mr. Robert Allen Schulman

Appellee

La Feria I.S.D. (Edgewood ISD party group)

Mr. David G. Hinojosa

Appellee

Texans for Real Efficiency and Equity in Education (Coleman party group)

Mr. James Christopher Diamond

Appellee

Little Elm I.S.D. (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

Hillsboro I.S.D. (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

Dallas I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Alief I.S.D. (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

Woodville I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Clear Creek I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Jessica Romero (Edgewood ISD party group)

Mr. David G. Hinojosa

Appellee

Pasadena I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Araceli Vasquez (Edgewood ISD party group)

Mr. David G. Hinojosa

Appellee

New Caney I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

McKinney I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Allena Beall (Coleman party group)

Mr. James Christopher Diamond

Appellee

Van I.S.D. (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

Joel Smedshammer (Coleman party group)

Mr. James Christopher Diamond

Appellee

Stafford Municipal I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Waco I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Coppell I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Spring Branch I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Sheldon I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Bluff Dale I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Keller I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Leggett I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Beaumont I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Sudan I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Paris I.S.D. (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

Mario Flores (Tex. Charter Schs. Assoc. party group)

Mr. Robert Allen Schulman

Appellee

Perrin-Whitt Consolidated I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Aransas County I.S.D. (Calhoun Co. ISD party group)

Mr. Mark Ryan Trachtenberg

Appellee

Rockdale I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Sarah Christensen (Tex. Charter Schs. Assoc. party group)

Mr. Robert Allen Schulman

Appellee

Jason Christensen (Tex. Charter Schs. Assoc. party group)

Mr. Robert Allen Schulman

Appellee

College Station I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Quinlan I.S.D. (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

Norman Baker (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

Rice Consolidated I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Brazosport I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Austin I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Ector County I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

North East I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Christopher Baerga (Tex. Charter Schs. Assoc. party group)

Mr. Robert Allen Schulman

Appellee

Splendora I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Liberty I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

La Marque I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Danessa Bolling (Coleman party group)

Mr. James Christopher Diamond

Appellee

Amarillo I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Cleveland I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Pflugerville I.S.D. (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

Kerrville I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Crosby I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Channelview I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Kenedy I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Arturo Robles (Edgewood ISD party group)

Mr. David G. Hinojosa

Appellee

Kingsville I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Pleasant Grove I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Pine Tree I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Damon I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Hutto I.S.D. (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

Brooks Flemister (Tex. Charter Schs. Assoc. party group)

Mr. Robert Allen Schulman

Appellee

Lewisville I.S.D. (Calhoun Co. ISD party group)

Mr. Mark Ryan Trachtenberg

Appellee

Klein I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Abernathy I.S.D. (Calhoun Co. ISD party group)

Mr. Mark Ryan Trachtenberg

Appellee

Decatur I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Trent I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Weatherford I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Deer Park I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Goose Creek Consolidated I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Stamford I.S.D. (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

Frisco I.S.D. (Calhoun Co. ISD party group)

Mr. Mark Ryan Trachtenberg

Appellee

Midland I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Canutillo I.S.D. (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

Albany I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Harlingen Consolidated I.S.D. (Edgewood ISD party group)

Mr. David G. Hinojosa

Appellee

Nacogdoches I.S.D. (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

Lake Worth I.S.D. (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

West Orange Cove Consolidated I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Troup I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Sweeny I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Northside I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Pampa I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Andrea Smedshammer (Coleman party group)

Mr. James Christopher Diamond

Appellee

Dumas I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Duncanville I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Elgin I.S.D. (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

McAllen I.S.D. (Edgewood ISD party group)

Mr. David G. Hinojosa

Appellee

Santa Fe I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Richardson I.S.D. (Calhoun Co. ISD party group)

Mr. Mark Ryan Trachtenberg

Appellee

Cypress-Fairbanks I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

La Porte I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Abilene I.S.D.(Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Sharyland I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Brad King (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

Darlene Menn (Coleman party group)

Mr. James Christopher Diamond

Appellee

San Benito Consolidated I.S.D. (Edgewood ISD party group)

Mr. David G. Hinojosa

Appellee

Corsicana I.S.D. (Fort Bend ISD party group)

Mr. John David Thompson III

Appellee

Chip Langston (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

Taylor I.S.D. (Tex. Taxpayer & Fairness Coal. party group)

Mr. Richard E. Gray III

Appellee

Calhoun County I.S.D.

Mr. John William Turner

Mr. Mark Ryan Trachtenberg

Appellee

Edgewood I.S.D.

Ms. Marisa Bono

Mr. David G. Hinojosa

Mr. Roger L. Rice

Celina Moreno

Appellee

Fort Bend I.S.D.

Mr. Philip D. Fraissinet

Mr. John David Thompson III

Ms. Rachel Anne Ekery

Mr. Wallace B. Jefferson

Ms. Holly Gene McIntush

Appellee

Hegar, Glenn

Mr. Rance L. Craft

Appellant

Coleman, Joyce

Mr. James Christopher Diamond

Ms. Melissa Prentice Lorber

Mr. Craig T. Enoch

Ms. Shelby Leigh O'Brien

Appellee

Amici Curiae

Amicus Curiae

Counsel

Koeltzow, Paul F.

Merrifield, John

Mr. Eric N. Green

Center for Public Policy Priorities

Mr. Brian W. Bishop

Alexander S. Elson

Lynn B. Bayard

Kauffman, Albert

Albert Kauffman

Texas Institute for Education Reform

Warren V. Norred

Windham, James

Warren V. Norred

Education Law Center

Mr. Brian W. Bishop

Mexican-American School Board Members Association

Mr. Brian W. Bishop

Texas Hope

Mr. Brian W. Bishop

Texas Association for Bilingual Education

Mr. Brian W. Bishop

Texas NAACP

Mr. Brian W. Bishop

San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Mr. Brian W. Bishop

Texas Appleseed

Mr. Brian W. Bishop

Goldwater Institute

Mr. Robert Earl Henneke

Clint Bolick

Watson, Forrest E.

Mr. Andrew B. Piel

Texas Parents Union

Jodi Bender

Texans for Parental Choice in Education

Jodi Bender

Schoolfield, Robert M.

Jodi Bender

Texas Coalition for Parental Choice in Education

Jodi Bender

Prewett, Matt

Jodi Bender

Francis-Benson, Pamela

Jodi Bender

Upham, David

David Upham

Texas Public Policy Foundation

Mr. Robert Earl Henneke

Americans for Prosperity

Mr. Roger B. Borgelt

Raise Your Hand Texas

Ms. Susan A. Kidwell

Robert Bruce Laboon

Mr. Charles R. 'Skip' Watson Jr.

Mr. Mike A. Hatchell

Senator Phill Gramm and Stacy Hock

Mr. Adam H. Charnes

Johnson, C.Ph.D., Ronald

Dr. Ronald Johnson, C.Ph.D.

Abbott, Greg

Mr. Adam W. Aston

Pastors for Texas Children

Mr. David M. Russell

Tameez, Zaakir

Zaakir Tameez

McShane, PhD, Michael Q.

Mr. Michael Q. McShane PhD

Hassett, Kristi

Ms. Kristi Hassett

U.S. Pastor Council

Mr. Briscoe Cain III

Schedule set in school finance cases

education school finance

Concurring

Opinion of the Court

The Court has now formally said that it will hear this "direct appeal" of the school finance ruling that held certain portions of the system unconstitutional.

The Court has agreed to the briefing schedule suggested by the parties, which puts the briefs due on April 13, 2015 (for the State and others challenging the judgment); July 2, 2015 (for those defending the judgment); and a reply on August 11, 2015 (for the State and others challenging the judgment).

That briefing schedule extends beyond the July 1, 2015 deadline set by the trial court's order. The State's motion states its belief that this deadline was suspended automatically by the appeal.

The briefing schedule also permits the Legislature to finish its session (and perhaps even a special session). Both sides will have an opportunity to address how any new legislation might affect this case.

Based on this schedule, I would expect the Court to hear oral argument in September 2015.

The briefing so far just consists of very short notices of appeal ("jurisdictional statements") filed by four groups challenging aspects of the judgment below:

the State Defendants (the commissioner of education and others)
a group led by the Texas Charter School Association
a group led by the Texas Taxpayer & Student Fairness Coalition
a group of six school districts that have broken with the main group of plaintiffs (Calhoun ISD, Abernathy ISD, Aransas ISD, Frisco ISD, Lewisville ISD, and Richardson ISD)

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