Published: January 15, 1997

Big-Ticket Items Predicted To Vie for State Dollars

School construction and technology will share the stage with the perennial budget battles as lawmakers in several states roll up their sleeves this month to begin 1997 legislative sessions.

Welfare reform will also be a contender. And backed by the ringing endorsement of President Clinton, charter schools could elbow other reform measures out of the limelight.

"You're not going to see much more in private management and vouchers," predicted Patricia Sullivan, the education director for the National Governors' Association. "I get lots of calls about what makes a...