Teachers union to launch challenge to budget law anew

The Arizona Education Association is starting over in challenging budget legislation affecting public school employees.

The teacher union’s disclosure Jan. 6 that it plans to file a lawsuit in Superior Court came a day after the state Supreme Court declined without comment to consider a case filed directly with the high court.

The AEA opposes budget law provisions on teacher seniority rights, deadline for school contract renewals and other changes to school statutes.

The union contends the provisions are unconstitutional because they weren’t topics set for a summer special legislative session on budget matters.

AEA President John Wright acknowledges the new lawsuit could take years to resolve with likely appeals but says it’s a worthwhile effort.