Senate OKs Picard’s bill seeking right to ‘equitable, adequate and meaningful’ education in state constitution

 

STATE HOUSE – The Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Roger A. Picard to place a question on the next statewide ballot asking voters to amend the state constitution to guarantee “an equitable, adequate and meaningful education to each child.”

Such a constitutional guarantee would ensure that systems that are failing children are addressed because the guarantee would be legally enforceable.

“The state constitution is the highest law in the state, and the statement of our dearest values. Public education is one of the most important duties of American government, upon which the success of not only individuals, but also communities, states and the nation hinges. We should make a very firm commitment to providing genuine educational opportunities for every single child, regardless of their circumstances or their Zip code,” said Senator Picard (D-Dist. 20, Woonsocket, Cumberland).

The legislation (2023-S 0072) now goes to the House of Representatives.

Senator Picard has introduced the bill numerous times in previous sessions, and this is third consecutive year it has passed the Senate. The effort is modeled on a similar constitutional provision added to Massachusetts’ constitution that helped transform its public educational system into one that is consistently among the best in the country.

If the question were put on the ballot and voters were to approve it, it would place the responsibility for providing an equitable, adequate and meaningful education to each child in the hands of the General Assembly and the state. It would enable people to seek court enforcement if they believe themselves injured because the state failed in its duty to provide an equitable, adequate and meaningful education to each child.

Senator Picard has also introduced two other bills aimed at better supporting public schools in communities that serve low-income students. The bills (2023-S 0087, 2023-S 0094) would adjust the state education funding formula to provide additional funding based on the number of students residing in qualified low-income housing and public housing, respectively.

“One of the ideas behind public education is that it is supposed to provide opportunity to all. But it’s well-documented that students growing up with fewer resources generally need more support to succeed at school than kids whose parents have more means. It’s equally clear from a look at the schools in our less-affluent communities that our funding formula isn’t providing that level of support. Those districts simply can’t afford to provide the opportunities their students need,” said Senator Picard. “Adequately resourced public schools are absolutely vital to providing an escape route from generational poverty.”

 

 

A New York City grand jury hearing former President Trump's hush money payment case is expected to meet later today. Reports say that's the plan after Wednesday's session was canceled. The investigation centers around alleged payments Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016 to cover-up an alleged affair.       Interest rate hikes may soon come to an end. That's according to the latest projections from the Federal Reserve. It has what's called the "terminal rate" at five-point-one percent. The latest rate hike pushed rates up to five-percent.       A body has been found near the location of the East High School shooting suspect's SUV in Colorado. On Wednesday, a student allegedly pulled out a gun at East High School and shot two faculty members. Now, police say they've found a body near the student's SUV about 50 miles from the school, and are examining it. The two victims of the shooting were taken to the hospital where one is stable and the other is in critical condition.       President Biden will be heading to Ottawa, Canada on Thursday. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Biden will participate in a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Friday to affirm his administration's commitment to the U.S.-Canada partnership. The two are expected to discuss support for Ukraine during Russia's invasion.       A judge in Wyoming has temporarily blocked a ban on abortion in the state. Judge Melissa Owens' ruling prevents enforcement of a law that makes all abortions a felony. The new law took effect this past Sunday and would carry a prison sentence of up to five years if enforced. Judge Owens ruled in favor of six plaintiffs, who are also seeking an injunction to a ban on abortion pills that becomes effective on July 1st.       Three people have now died as a result of contaminated eyedrops. That's according to the CDC. The health agency adds eight people have lost vision in at least one eye and several others have had their eyeballs removed through surgery. It's all due to a strain of bacteria that's drug resistant. There are a total of 68 cases in 16 states.