House passes new charter school cap-lifting bill, 39-29
HB 353, the newly introduced bill to lift the cap on creation of new charter schools, has passed the House on a 39-29 vote; the bill was just introduced in a hastily called House Ways & Means Committee meeting an hour earlier. Rep. Cliff Bayer, R-Boise, the sponsor of the bill, said, "Not one size fits all for our kids." The bill drew much opposing debate; House leaders said they'll send it to the Senate, which may not consider it with today's pending adjournment of this year's legislative session.