The House Education Committee did not vote Tuesday on a bill that would use taxpayer money to send children to private schools. Instead, they let the public -- those in favor and against -- have their say.

Proponents of the measure say it will give parents a choice of where and how to educate their children. Opponents say it will drain resources from public schools.

The Senate's $20.6 billion budget pursues many of the education policy changes lawmakers have pursued throughout the spring. It would also trim services for those who receive Medicaid, the joint federal-state health insurance program for the poor and disabled.

Charters schools would be governed by a newly create board under a bill that passed the state Senate on Tuesday.