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Charter schools would get the same amount of money as traditional public schools under a new bill making its way through the state Senate.

Critics argue that while the nearly $80 million measure might equalize overall funding, it would result in charter schools' getting far more state money than local districts do.

Charter schools already get an average of $287 more per student in state funds than school districts receive, according to an analysis by the Arizona Department of Education.

But charter schools can't levy local property taxes the way districts can. On average the districts generate about $1,155 through bonds and additional tax levies, which ultimately provide them more overall funds.

This move, which passed the Senate Education Committee Wednesday, would attempt to even out the discrepancy by increasing the funding by $851.77 per studentto charter kindergarten through eighth grades and by $992.72 per student in charter high schools. 

If the bill, sponsored by Republican Sen. Linda Gray of Glendale and supported by state school chief Tom Horne, is passed and signed by the governor, extra money would come from the state.

"These are 90,000 students (in charter schools), and they are not Republicans and they are not Democrats," said Tom Dorn, a lobbyist for the Arizona Charter School Association, in attempting to win over votes.

Still, the committee vote came down almost on partisan lines, with Democrats against the move and Republicans for it. Sen. Victor Soltero, a Tucson Democrat, supported it, however, because he says charters have allowed a lot of students who have not done well in the traditional schools a chance to graduate from high school.

Other charter schools have attracted families by instituting more rigorous criteria than the districts.

School district lobbyists argue the funding change would be unfair since charter schools don't have the same costs and mandates as traditional public schools, such as providing transportation.

As charter schools have increased in numbers, traditional school districts have viewed them as a threat, since they have increased the competition for students — and the per-pupil dollars that come with them.

Charter schools are still considered public schools, and students are held to the same accountability standards as in regular districts.

Some lawmakers are cautious as the bill proceeds.

"I don't see an overwhelming need for us to do this, but it is an inherent issue of fairness," said Sen. John Huppenthal, a Chandler Republican, explaining the success he thinks charter schools have had with current funding.

Visit azstarnet.com/ education for the Star's annual surveys of Tucson-area private and charter schools