High court's ruling on education funding puts lawmakers on the spot

The state Supreme Court's plan to loom over the Legislature like a storm cloud until K-12 education funding improves will separate the wheat in political leadership from the chaff.

The unanimous ruling — two justices dissented over the court retaining jurisdiction in the case — changes the game for state lawmakers beginning to pare billions in spending. Gov. Chris Gregoire's proposed spending for education, usually the starting point, must be viewed with an eye toward the court's ruling.