At a time of budget crunching, why would teacher unions, legislators, and state education officials turn down free money? Yet under pressure from these groups, that is exactly what Michigan's governor is about to do. Governor Jennifer Granholm has vowed to veto a bill that would enable a local Detroit businessman to donate $200 million to build 15 new charter schools in the Motor City. Last week, after that measure squeaked through the state Senate on a party-line vote, Granholm announced that she was holding out for "more comprehensive" charter legislation - translated, a bill that would limit both the total number of charter schools operating in Michigan and the number that can be sponsored by universities and community colleges.
"Debate over adding 15 charter schools isn't a surprise," by Chris Christoff, Detroit Free Press, August 18, 2003
"Senate OKs charter schools," by Gary Heinlein and Mark Hornbeck, Detroit News, August 14, 2003