Will Lansing Increase Number Of Charter Schools Allowed?

LANSING (WWJ) - The debate continues in Lansing over whether to raise the number of Michigan charter schools.

WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick reports that for 16 years legislative Republicans have unsuccessfully tried to raise the cap on Charter Schools.

Associate Speaker-State Rep. Paul Opsommer tells WWJ: "I don't see that as an issue at all ... because if I have a great  K-12 School there is simply not a business need, nor is it a business necessity to  set up a Charter School and I don't think it will be set up and I don't think it will be successful."

Opsommer said that he thinks the charter school cap will be lifted this week.

"I think many of the schools are probably pressuring many of the representatives that they don't want any competition, but also they don't even want the threat of competition, and that's where I would disagree," said Opsommer.

Republicans have 10 of their own members in the Michigan House who are against this legislation -- some feel they've got good schools now, and they don't want the competition from the Charter Schools.

"I think they'll find the votes for it - it's something that is a priority for the speaker, the governor and the senate majority leader and I think we'll get this through," Opsommer said.