To the editor:

The Journal-World has repeatedly editorialized against the conservatives’ attempts to pass a constitutional amendment limiting the Supreme Court’s authority over school funding. In its latest editorial (July 6), the Journal-World stated: “A blanket ban on the court freezing school funding presumably would mean that no matter what the Legislature did or didn’t do, the court would be powerless to force a correction. If so Kansans would be without recourse even if legislators decided to reduce, rather than increase, school funding.”

Kansans have an obvious recourse: It’s called democracy!

School financing has been a hot topic for more than a decade. Kansans have had several elections to decide which legislators to represent them on this issue. They have made their decision! In a representative democracy it is the function of the Legislature to decide school funding issues. If Kansans want school funding increased, they can vote for legislators who will do so.

In our democracy, it is the Legislature, not the courts, that determines funding issues. If the courts determine funding, Kansans will be truly powerless in determining the appropriate funding for their schools. Without a constitutional amendment, unelected judges will determine all funding issues. The framers wisely decided to give these powers to the legislators, who are directly accountable to the people.

Ed White,

Lawrence