March 30, 2005

New York state trial court judge Leland DeGrasse has set a June 13 deadline for the state to inject huge new sums into New York City's already high-spending schools: $5.6 billion annually plus billions more in capital expenditures. Many Gotham commentators seem to think the governor and legislatures have no choice as a matter of constitutional law but to meekly fork over the taxpayers' money as the plaintiffs in the case demand. Not so fast, advise lawprofs Ross Sandler and David Schoenbrod, authors of the highly recommended "Democracy by Decree: What Happens When Courts Run Government." The Manhattan Institute's site has more commentary on the courtroom exploits of the so-called Campaign for Fiscal Equity. P.S.: more from the same authors in the Financial Times.