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From STAFF REPORTS

State legislators representing Cowley County had mixed reactions to today's Kansas Supreme Court ruling on school finance.

"I'm thrilled that they have chosen to release jurisdiction (on school finance) and it's long overdue," State Rep. Kasha Kelley, R-Arkansas City, said. "I believe the citizens of Kansas still need the opportunity to be able to vote on a constitutional amendment of separation of powers."

Kelley said she objects to the courts telling legislators how much they should spent on school finance.

"From the information we have so far, it sounds like the courts have left open another opportunity to appropriate from the bench," Kelley added.

State Sen. Greta Goodwin, D-Winfield, agreed that today's supreme court decision may not be the court's final word on school finance.

"It looks like there could be more qualifications and expectations they are going to make of the legislators," Goodwin said.

Goodwin added she would be a little bit surprised if the court "has totally dismissed this suit and we're not going to see it again."

"My initial reaction is the Legislature did not comply with the court's decision that they handed down a year ago," she said. "If they let it go (for good), the court loses a lot of credibility."