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Texas School Finance System "Unconstitutional"

A judge has again declared Texas' school finance system unconstitutional, reaffirming his 2013 decision despite $3.4 billion in extra classroom funding approved by the Legislature last summer.

State District Judge John Dietz's written opinion Thursday followed his verbal ruling last year that public school funding was inadequate.

He also said the "Robin Hood" system doesn't share funding fairly between school districts in wealthy and poor areas.

The Legislature cut $5.4 billion from public education in 2011, prompting more than 600 school districts statewide to sue.

Dietz's initial ruling followed a 3-plus month trial. But he reopened the case in January and heard new evidence, after lawmakers restored $3.4 billion to schools in 2013.

The written ruling can now be appealed to the state Supreme Court.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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