CBS Atlanta 46Democrats hold charter school hearing despite uphill battle

Some lawmakers want to give the state some of its power back.

Democrats held a hearing at the Capitol on their version of a proposed constitutional amendment to let the state open charter schools.

But they face an uphill battle. Last year, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled the state does not have the power to create charter schools, only local boards of education have that authority. Last week, lawmakers voted against passing another resolution, HR 1162, backed largely by the Republicans, which would also give power back to the state.

Rep. Brian Thomas, D-Lilburn, who chairs the House Democratic Caucus, said HR 1162 was too vague and left open the possibility for charter schools to drain money from traditional public schools.

Thomas said the Democrats' resolution, HR 1335, would allow the state to open and fund charter schools, but limit funding only to state money and does not allow charter schools to draw any funding from local school taxes. "Our resolution has very specific language that does not divert money that should go to local school districts and instead send it to a charter school," Thomas said.

Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan, D-Austell, who crossed the aisle to support the Republican resolution, insisted the GOP resolution is clear. She said language on funding has no place in the state constitution, saying it would only handcuff lawmakers. "It's language is restrictive," Morgan said. "It talks about adjusting funding up or down. We don't want to tie the hands of future legislatures by not being able to raise funds in any way."

Lawmakers could vote on the Republican version again, but it would need the approval of two-thirds of the House for it to pass.

And it is not clear if the Democrats' version has enough support to get make it onto the full House floor for a vote.

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