Lawmakers are passing a flurry of bills in the last days of the legislative session but a new version of the massive charter schools bill has still not reappeared.
Capitol reporter Ryland Barton said Wednesday is supposed to be the deadline for the legislation to pass.
Senate President Robert Stivers said the legislation could be voted on in the Education Committee later today or tomorrow, but negotiations are still taking place.
“There has been discussion with house members and the administration about what it should contain and potential tweaks and remedies to some problems that we’re seeing in what was passed to us,” Stivers said.
Earlier this month the House of Representatives passed a version of the charter schools bill, a top priority for many Republicans and Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration.
Charters would be exempted from many state regulations, which supporters said would allow for innovation. Charter critics said the policy would siphon funds away from traditional public schools.
Lawmakers meet Tuesday and Wednesday of this week before disbanding for a 10-day “veto period.” They will reconvene on March 29 and 30 for the final two days of session.
