Some more stuff from the Wall Street Journal about Mike Bloomberg, the next President of the United States.

OPINION

REVIEW & OUTLOOK

Wall Street Journal -Bloomberg’s Education Opening

Charter schools would help him break from the Democratic pack.

By the Editorial Board

December 5, 2019

Michael Bloomberg had some good news this week when both the Morning Consult and Hill-HarrisX polls showed support doubling for his presidential run. Though he’s still in single digits— Hill-HarrisX puts him at 6%—there’s room to move up if he can distinguish himself from other Democrats.

His best opportunity would be education, and especially charter schools. As mayor of New York he showed courage when he bucked the progressive establishment to shut down failing public schools and create space for charters—typically by co-locating them within empty space in the same building as traditional public schools. He wanted New Yorkers who don’t live in the city’s most exclusive zip codes to have access to quality schools.

Mr. Bloomberg’s successor as mayor, Bill de Blasio, has declared war on charters and spent his years in office trying to put them out of business—especially by denying charters the space they need to teach.

This space is listed in something called the Blue Book, more formally known as the city’s “Enrollment, Capacity and Utilization Report.” The report for 2018-2019 shows the city has 111,501 empty student seats across 218 buildings, up 18% in three years. The unused seats at the mayor’s disposal are roughly double the waiting list of 48,300 students desperate for a coveted spot at a charter school. Those on the waiting list now have to test their luck by reapplying for the annual lottery.

If the city doesn’t provide a charter with public space, the law requires the city and state to pay the charter money to rent a private building. But charter officials say the money they get typically doesn’t cover their full expenses—and it’s silly to force them to find private space when so much public space is readily available.

The de Blasio policy is a lousy deal for city and state taxpayers. Last year the tab for private space for charters hit $52 million and is expected to rise to $80 million this year. According to a May 2018 Manhattan Institute report, Mr. de Blasio has slowed charter co-locations to an average of 12 a year compared to 30 a year during Mr. Bloomberg’s last five years as mayor.

Mr. Bloomberg should take pride in his record—and take Mr. de Blasio to task for choosing teachers unions over children by trying to stifle charters. This is the right policy on grounds of opportunity and equity, and it is also good politics. Celebrating charters would distinguish him from Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, who are promising to limit charter growth, and would likely help boost his standing with minority voters.

With the exception of New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, the Democratic candidates are afraid to speak up for charters lest they anger the teachers unions that hold so much sway in the party. No one brings a better record to this debate than Mr. Bloomberg, and he could do a service by running on it.