News

Video: Protesters Condemn ALEC’s Push to Privatize Public Education. Six people were arrested Monday when protesters descended upon the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago to push back against the impending visit of ALEC. The Real News Network

NY: New York State Lags on Firing Workers Who Abuse Disabled Patients. A new law will force private providers to comply with the Freedom of Information Law, a critical step as the state continues to privatize much of the system. New York Times

NC: NC may approve up to 32 new charter schools. The State Board of Education agreed Thursday to consider opening up to 32 new charter schools in 2014….The state’s 129 charter schools receive taxpayer funding but are exempt from some of the regulations that traditional public schools must follow. They are also independent of the school districts in which they’re located. State legislators approved various changes this year, including lowering the number of certified teachers charter schools must have and creating a new advisory board for charter schools. News & Observer

IL: Bidders meet on Gary airport privatization. The event brought out more heavyhitters in the world of investment and infrastrucuture, including William Blair & Co., of Chicago; TIAA-CREF, of New York; BLOC Global Group, of Birmingham, Ala., a builder and investor; and Hastings Funds, based in Melbourne, Australia. Those were in addition to companies that signaled their interest last month in responding to a request for preliminary proposals from the airport. Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson told investors and others seated at five rows of tables in the airport administration building in the morning that her administration proclaimed a new day when it came into office last January. nwitimes.com