Groups sue to block new Washington charter schools law

SEATTLE (AP) — Teachers unions, parents and other groups are suing over Washington's new charter school law, a measure that was enacted last spring after the state Supreme Court struck down the old law.

In the lawsuit filed in King County Superior Court, the organizations say the Legislature's effort to revive charter schools after the 2015 court decision didn't actually fix the underlying issue. They say public dollars needed for traditional public schools are still being diverted to privately run charter schools over which voters have no control.

The groups behind the lawsuit include the Washington Education Association, the League of Women Voters, El Centro de la Raza and a variety of labor groups, including Boeing's Machinists union and the Washington State Labor Council.

The state's Charter School Commission did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.