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RALEIGH -- North Carolina lawmakers have taken another step toward ending the current limit of 100 charter schools. Democrats think the bill would be the first step toward destroying traditional public schools.

The House Education Committee voted Tuesday to allow up to 50 new charter schools each year and to set minimum enrollment and growth standards. The measure would change a Senate measure that placed no limits on the number of the alternative schools.

The latest version adds some provisions sought by Democrats involving school funding and food services for students. But Rep. Ray Rapp of Madison County says he and fellow Democrats still can't support the measure because they think a special state charter schools commission in the bill would be unconstitutional.

The proposal now goes to the House Finance Committee.

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