OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A dispute among Democratic lawmakers has stalled two bills to overhaul Washington’s education system, forcing them to miss a key deadline.
In the Senate, Democrat Rodney Tom said Friday that education committee chairwoman Rosemary McAuliffe refused to allow a vote on measures related to charter schools and teacher evaluations. Business groups have been pushing the bills, and moderate Democrats have signaled they want to see such reforms approved before considering new taxes.
Tom said the measure has enough votes to pass out of the committee, with the support of two Democrats and four Republicans. Friday marked a key deadline for policy bills to pass out of committee, but Tom said he hopes lawmakers can find other ways to resurrect the efforts later.
McAuliffe did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
