After a near doubling of political donations from individuals affiliated with charter schools, the Texas state Legislature passed a law dramatically increasing the number of charter schools allowed in the state.

Past and present board members and employees of the state’s six largest charter operators gave a combined $518,000 to candidates and officeholders during the 2010 and 2012 election cycles. That was near double what people affiliated with charters donated in the two previous election cycles.

Following the surge in contributions, the Legislature in May passed a law that will increase by 42 percent the number of charter schools allowed in the state by 2019.

The Texas law also took the power to approve new charters away from the state school board and gave it to the state education commissioner, who is appointed by the governor.

Other states have followed a similar trend. In South Carolina, Missouri and Michigan, Republican legislatures have in recent years voted to expand charter schools following a rise in donations from contributors affiliated with charter schools.

Associated Press, Dec. 1