The public school monopolists who threatened to kill the Washington charter school bill with 100 dilatory amendments managed to produce only 13 actual dilatory amendments. And 9 of these originated with Rep. Maralyn Chase. The amendments are flagrantly ridiculous, e.g. requiring a majority of voters in each school district to approve every charter school application and that charter schools must provide bus transportation for their students by contracting with the local school district. (Who cares about longer instructional days? The essential issue is protecting overtime for union bus drivers!)

I take this as a sign of desperation that the anti-charter obstructionists know they're going to lose today's vote in the House. Nevertheless, it's important to contact your legislators and encourage them to vote for the charter bill. And without any of the destructive amendments.

UPDATE The House is debating the charters school bill and amendments at this moment (12:10pm). Watch on TVW (Seattle Cable 23) or listen here,