Deadline hours away, Pa. lawmakers work overtime

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The state House and Senate have sent sweeping education bills to each other, although neither has a guarantee of support from the other.

The Senate unanimously approved its bill Saturday, while the House bill passed its an hour later, 120-77.

The lengthy bills were barely unveiled before the votes.

Supporters of each say they're designed to strengthen state oversight of charter schools, overhaul the way the state distributes special education aid and seek recommendations to address longstanding school board complaints on how charter schools are funded.

The big difference is that the Senate bill would create a $50 million tax credit to provide scholarships for students wanting to transfer out of the state's worst schools.

Meanwhile, critics said the House bill would allow a state board to circumvent local school boards and create charter schools.