On February 3, the re-opened school finance trial moved into its final week with continued testimony from experts regarding the financial equity in the Texas school finance system and what, if any, impact was made with legislative changes during the 83rd session. Testimony concluded on the morning of February 7 with closing arguments scheduled to take place later in the afteroon. State District Court Judge John Dietz made the preliminary ruling in 2013 that declared the current school finance system unconstitutional. If Judge Dietz still finds the school finance system unconstitutional, state officials are expected to appeal the ruling, and that appeal may go directly to the Supreme Court. A final ruling would probably come later this year. While the ruling is anticipated prior to the start of the 84th Texas Legislature in January 2015, some court observers believe that a special session could be delayed until after the regular session concludes in May 2015.
