WA Supreme Court hearing on school case is lively

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — An engaged and prepared Washington Supreme Court sat behind the bench Tuesday to hear arguments concerning the state’s obligation to pay for public school education.

Every justice asked at least one question and they barely gave the attorneys a chance to present any of their prepared remarks.

Many of the questions concerned whether the Legislature has made any progress lately in improving the way the state pays for basic education.

Assistant Attorney General Bill Clark says lawmakers have made a lot of progress in their reform efforts.

Thomas Ahearne, who represents a coalition of school districts, teachers and community groups, says the work of the Legislature is all talk and studies and no action.

The Supreme Court is expected to spend months thinking about the case before making a ruling sometime this fall or winter.