6-21-13 democrats question scope of voucher growth

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chris Larson says a provision in the state budget would allow for even greater growth in the private voucher school program than expected.

Larson said Thursday the budget would allow for existing voucher schools to open satellite schools anywhere in the state that would not be subject to a 500-student cap next year. The cap is part of a deal in the budget that allows vouchers anywhere in Wisconsin.  Bob Lang, director of the nonpartisan Fiscal Bureau, says whether that could happen would be up to how Department of Public Instruction Secretary Tony Evers interprets it.   Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says "if that's the case, we'd have to address it. But not tonight."