Full of it

The Washington State Supreme Court apparently slept through constitutional law class the day the separation of powers was explained.

The state Supreme Court is fining Washington state government $100,000 per day over the Legislature’s continued failure to pass a plan to fully fund public education.

So sayeth Melissa Santos and Jordan Schrader of the Tacoma News Tribune (TNT). Who didn't stop to ponder just how one co-equal branch of a state government can fine another. Nor what is accomplished by it, since the legislators in question won't be paying any fines themselves, but merely setting aside money from tax revenues received from Washington's citizens.

In a decision signed by all nine justices Thursday, the court ordered the state to begin paying the daily fine of $100,000 starting immediately, and place the money in a special account to benefit basic education.

One might wonder where these idiots studied economics too. Where do they think money comes from, the stork bring it? Or maybe it's reading comprehension that's their problem, as they don't seem to be fully cognizant of the meaning of the state's constitution that reads;

It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex.

That would seem to mean that the money money made available by democratically elected legislators shall be applied in a non-discriminatory fashion to all the state's schools. Not how much money is 'ample', nor, certainly, that any court, supreme or otherwise, enjoys the power to define 'ample'. The constitution goes on;

The principal of the common school fund as the same existed on June 30, 1965, shall remain permanent and irreducible. The said fund shall consist of the principal amount thereof existing on June 30, 1965, and such additions thereto as may be derived after June 30, 1965, from the following named sources, to wit: Appropriations and donations by the state to this fund; donations and bequests by individuals to the state or public for common schools; the proceeds of lands and other property which revert to the state by escheat and forfeiture; the proceeds of all property granted to the state when the purpose of the grant is not specified, or is uncertain; funds accumulated in the treasury of the state for the disbursement of which provision has not been made by law; the proceeds of the sale of stone, minerals, or property other than timber and other crops from school and state lands, other than those granted for specific purposes; all moneys received from persons appropriating stone, minerals or property other than timber and other crops from school and state lands other than those granted for specific purposes, and all moneys other than rental recovered from persons trespassing on said lands; five per centum of the proceeds of the sale of public lands lying within the state, which shall be sold by the United States subsequent to the admission of the state into the Union as approved by Section 13 of the act of congress enabling the admission of the state into the Union; the principal of all funds arising from the sale of lands and other property which have been, and hereafter may be granted to the state for the support of common schools.

Pretty detailed list of how the schools shall be funded. Conspicuous by its absence is any reference to fines levied by the Supreme Court. The paragraph continues;

  The legislature may make further provisions for enlarging said fund. 

May. Not, must.

At least one member of the state legislature sees the problem. In the TNT article;

Shortly after Thursday’s ruling, some Republican lawmakers took to Twitter to say the court had overstepped its bounds. State Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Ellensburg, went as far as to say the Legislature should look into removing some of the justices from office or at least investigating their conduct.

“The Washington Supreme Court has gone rogue. It is time for articles of impeachment,” Manweller tweeted.

Articles of impeachment can be found in the constitution.

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/politics-government/article31008225.html#storylink=cpy