Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding, Inc. v. Governor M. Jodi Rell Et — Zarella, J…

Summary

Justice Zarella, joined by Justice McLachlan, dissents from the conclusion that the plaintiffs' claims are justiciable. He would hold that claims seeking judicially enforceable minimum educational inputs and outputs present a nonjusticiable political question because the constitutional text commits implementation to the legislature, supplies no manageable standards, and would require policy choices and funding decisions reserved to the political branches. Justice Vertefeuille, dissenting, would also affirm dismissal of the claims but on the ground that the education clause guarantees continuation of the statewide free-school system rather than a judicially enforceable suitable-education right; Justices Schaller and Palmer, concurring, would recognize a justiciable qualitative education right while urging substantial deference to the political branches.