Arkansas Supreme Court Upholds Education Overhaul and LEARNS Act
The Arkansas Supreme Court has upheld the procedural vote that allowed Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders' education overhaul to take effect immediately, rejecting a judge's ruling that questioned the fast-tracking of state laws. The court's decision has no impact on the already effective education law, which includes a school voucher program, increased teacher salaries, and restrictions on classroom instruction regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. Opponents argued that the Legislature violated the state constitution, but the court ruled that the emergency clause for the law was passed in compliance with the constitution. Governor Sanders celebrated the ruling, while critics expressed concerns about government accountability.