Decker reluctant on superintendent bill

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker says he is reluctant to support a bill backed by fellow Democrat Gov. Jim Doyle to increase the power of Wisconsin's state superintendent.

The measure passed a state Assembly committee as part of a package of reforms Doyle wants to help the state qualify for nearly $4.5 billion in federal Race to the Top money.

But it has yet to be introduced in the Senate. Both chambers are controlled by Democrats.

Decker said Thursday that increasing the powers of the superintendent to intervene in struggling schools is a major change. He says no one has made the argument that it would make things better.

State Superintendent Tony Evers testified in support of the measure at the Assembly hearing, saying the powers granted would help turn around failing schools.