By Steve Klamkin WPRO News

Gov. Dan McKee on Tuesday urged House lawmakers to reject a Senate – passed bill that would impose a moratorium on new charter schools in the state, raising the prospect of issuing his first veto should the House go along in a vote set for Wednesday.

Leading parents, charter school supporters and others outside the planned PVD Prep Charter School on Harrison Street in Providence, McKee said the measure would hurt families looking for alternatives to struggling public schools.

“A moratorium on public charter schools does nothing to improve our public education system, while a moratorium debate only serves to divide us. Meanwhile, the families most affected have no time to wait,” McKee said.

The bill passed by the state Senate would halt state approvals for charter schools through the 2024 school year, and would also stall schools already approved and working toward opening.

“Brother” Gary Danzler, Executive Director of Black Lives Matter RI said the charter schools help families of color overcome educational and other obstacles.

“When there’s a huge gap, what happens is… the history shows itself. The crime goes up. There are more… more black and brown kids going to prison,” Danzler said.

McKee indicated that he is uninterested in a possible compromise.

“Right now there’s no room for compromise under the current circumstances,” he said.