Cite as 351 Ark. 31 (2002)
1995 but, in addition, made legislative findings relating to educational adequacy, defined a "uniform rate of tax" under Amendment 74, defined terms used in the school-funding formula, and provided incentives for school districts to encourage millage assessments to enhance public education. The General Assembly also enacted Act 1108 of 1997, now codified at Ark. Code Ann. §§ 6-15-1001 through 1011 (Repl. 1999), which set educational goals, and Act 1361 of 1997, which appropriated funds totaling over $1.5 billion for each year of the next biennium for grants and aid to the state's school districts.
In 1998, there was an effort by Lake View and the State to settle the lawsuit. The trial court, however, declined to approve the settlement.[1] On August 17, 1998, the trial court dismissed Lake View's fourth amended complaint on the grounds that with Amendment 74 and the 1995 and 1996 legislative acts, a new standard for public school funding had been implemented. Legislative acts are presumed to be constitutional, the trial court observed, and, thus, the fourth amended complaint and show-cause petition for why the State should not be held in contempt of the 1994 order were moot. No attorneys' fees were granted to Lake View counsel.
The 1998 Dismissal Order was appealed to this court, and we reversed. See Lake View Sch. Dist. No. 25 v. Huckabee, 340 Ark. 481, 10 S.W.3d 892 (2000) (Lake View II). In Lake View II, we remanded the matter for a compliance trial to be held regarding the constitutionality of the post-1994 legislative acts and for a determination of attorneys' fees. See id.[2]
In its 1999 General Session, the General Assembly appropriated funds for public education totaling more than $1.6 billion for the first year of the biennium and more than $1.7 billion for the second year. See Act 1392 of 1999. The General Assembly also enacted Act 999 of 1999, amending Ark. Code Ann. §§ 6-15-401 through 407, 6-15-419 through 422, and 6-15-1003 (Repl.
- ↑ In January 1997, Judge Imber assumed her role as Associate Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court. Chancellor Collins Kilgore was subsequently assigned the case.
- ↑ For a complete history of this case through March 2, 2001, refer to Lake View Sch. Dist. No. 25 v. Huckabee, 340 Ark. 481, 10 S.W.3d 892 (2000) (Lake View II).
