Many of us have had our mailboxes and living rooms flooded with deceitful ads that attempt to manipulate us with false threats and unfounded claims about Initiative 42. Here’s the truth – Initiative 42 does exactly what it says it does and nothing else. Take a look at the actual wording of the amendment on which you will be voting in November:
“Educational opportunity for public school children: To protect each child’s fundamental right to educational opportunity, the State shall provide for the establishment, maintenance, and support of an adequate and efficient system of free public schools. The chancery courts of this State shall have the power to enforce this section with appropriate injunctive relief.”
The amendment establishes our children’s right to an adequate education. It uses the words “adequate and efficient” – words that are used in many other states’ constitutions – to define the quality of education that the state is required to provide. And it acknowledges that the entire State is responsible for seeing that our children are well educated. But Initiative 42 does not change the role or the scope of duties of any branch of government.
Initiative 42 does not broaden the jurisdiction of the courts. Rather, it limits where court cases can be filed to the chancery courts (the courts responsible for determining whether a state law is constitutional), and it limits judgments to injunctive relief (making the Legislature follow existing law). Period. That’s it. That is what the amendment says, and that is what the amendment does.
Anyone who tells you otherwise is not telling you the truth. Listen as former Supreme Court Justice George Carlson sets the record straight about what judges can and cannot do here.
And click here to read a newly released statement from University of Mississippi law professors regarding the legally incorrect arguments coming from opponents of Initiative 42.
If you are ready to have public schools adequately funded and a Legislature that listens to and acts on our concerns, you can make that a reality by:
• Passing Initiative 42 and confirming our children’s right to an adequate education.
• Electing an education-friendly Legislature. (Click here to learn where candidates in your district stand on education issues)
We need your help to make sure that Mississippi parents, teachers, and friends of public education go to the polls armed with accurate information about Initiative 42 and about how to navigate the ballot to VOTE YES for our children and our schools.
• Click here for printable fact sheets and information and a sample ballot.
• Still have questions about Initiative 42, what it is and what it will do? See an explanation here.
• Are you getting questions from friends and family about the misinformation they are hearing on TV and radio? Click here for answers.
We have less than two weeks to spread the word. Like us on Facebook and share our posts, retweet our tweets (@ParentsCampaign), forward this email to a friend, text or email your endorsements of Initiative 42 and education-friendly candidates to those in your contacts list…
Let’s get moving to ensure that our children have the same right to a quality education as the children in other states and that we elect legislators who support our public schools. If each of us does our part, we will win the day on November 3 and ensure a brighter future for all Mississippi children!
