Nevada Attorney General prods judge to hurry on school choice case

LAS VEGAS — State officials want a Las Vegas judge to speed up his decision on Nevada’s sweeping new school choice program.

Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt’s office filed a motion Friday requesting Judge Eric Johnson rule by May 13 on a lawsuit against education savings accounts. Laxalt says all requested briefs were submitted and families who want to participate in the program need certainty.

The voucher-style program allows parents to claim their child’s per-pupil state education funds and use it toward private schooling.

ACLU officials sued in Las Vegas, saying it violates a portion of the Nevada Constitution that bans using public funds for sectarian purposes.

A Carson City judge reviewing a separate lawsuit put the program on hold earlier this year. The hold is being appealed at the Nevada Supreme Court.