Moberley Tries to Resuscitate Charters

Now that the elections are over it will apparently only take the House and Senate the minumum amount of time necessary to agree to a state budget.

But this is not news.

The surprise is a bill filed by Harry Moberly Monday intended to breathe life back into the dead charter school issue - thus providing Education Commissioner Terry Holliday the resoucres he needs to accomplish the provisions of Senate Bill 1.

This from the Herald-Leader:

Also filed Monday was a measure that would allow charter schools in Kentucky on a limited basis. Rep. Harry Moberly, D-Richmond, filed the bill even though Beshear did not put charter schools on the agenda for the special session. Only the governor can call a special session and set its agenda.

Moberly said he filed the bill because the state was at risk of losing millions of dollars in federal funding from the competitive "Race to the Top" program. Still, House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, said there is not enough time in a five-day session to thoroughly vet the issue of charter schools.

Beshear, at a press conference later Monday, said he would not amend the call of the special legislative session unless there was an agreement between the House and Senate on charter schools. Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, said Monday afternoon the Senate had long supported charter schools but he had not seen Moberly's bill.

Photo: Moberly chats with Gene Wilhoit at a recent Prichard Committee Meeting. Also in the snap, former KBE Chair Joe Brothers (who Billy Harper still refers to as Mr Chairman) and Pam Sexton.