STATE HOUSE — A controversial bill tying an increase in the cap on charter school enrollment with significant new funding for all types of public education passed the Senate on Thursday, but not before senators added a controversial local control measure to a bill already unpopular with charter school advocates.
The Senate voted 22-13 in favor of the legislation crafted over the course by a group of four senators tasked by Senate President Stanley Rosenberg with producing education bill that could pass that branch in the face of a ballot initiative backed by Gov. Charlie Baker that would expand charter schools in Massachusetts.
Mayor Marty Walsh (D) considers access to quality education, especially for underprivileged children, his greatest responsibility. As the son of immigrant parents who worked hard to send him to good schools, Walsh witnessed firsthand both the challenges and benefits of different types of schools in the Boston area.
After taking office in 2014, Walsh promoted the standard issues one might expect, such as increasing employment and public safety. But education has remained his central focus ever since he was a state representative from the 13th Suffolk district.
