SLOW MOVEMENT

After getting another strong message from the state supreme court, many lawmakers in special session expected action today on revenue and tax issues. They would give fuel to the new funding formula the high panel told Arkansas it had to develop to reform education. The revenue and tax committees for each chamber met today, but no new bills were pushed forward. Many frustrated lawmakers are concerned that work is being held up on the money end by small school supporters still tinkering with senate bill 42. Sponsors say the current version of that funding formula, inadvertently left out financial protections for isolated districts. Others believe the missing words leave the door open for a backdoor conoslidation effort. To protect their bottom line, some small school supporters have been talking to lawmakers, trying to lower the teacher salary schedule in "42." The strategy? If salaries are lowered, those districts would easily be able to meet new pay requirements in the formula and not be risking fiscal distress.