Missouri v. Jenkins

There have been two US Supreme Court cases named Missouri v. Jenkins.

1990 case

In Missouri v. Jenkins (1990), the district court had attempted to raise local taxes to finance school integration. The Supreme Court ruled that the district court could not do that itself, but it could order the local government to do so - despite a state statute limiting taxes.

...a local government with taxing authority may be ordered to levy taxes in excess of the limit set by state statute where there is reason based in the Constitution for not observing the statutory limitation.

Justice Byron White wrote the opinion for the 5-4 Court.

• Full text of case

1995 case

In Missouri v. Jenkins (1995), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to end 18-year-old judicial control over a school district. It ordered the trial court to "bear in mind that its end purpose is not only 'to remedy the violation' to the extent practicable, but also 'to restore state and local authorities to the control of a school system that is operating in compliance with the Constitution.'"

Chief Justice William Rehnquist delivered the opinion of the court.

• Full text of all opinions in the case.