Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo should get her veto pen ready. An all-out assault on charters schools, creative public schools that have done a commendable job helping especially poor and minority students, is under way in the General Assembly. It’s as if the special interests are determined to snuff out a flickering light of hope in Rhode Island.

The Senate Education Committee last week voted out a measure, long feared, that imposes a moratorium on charters and would give local boards -- which are heavily vested in the status quo and infiltrated by teachers unions -- veto power over the creation and expansion of charter schools. Those voting to hammer the innovative schools included: Hanna Gallo, D-Cranston; Harold Metts, D-Providence; Joshua Miller, D-Cranston; Ryan Pearson, D-Cumberland; Adam Satchell, D-West Warwick; and James Sheehan, D-North Kingstown.

On Thursday, the House Education Committee passed a similar bill attacking charters.

Bill Fischer, representing the state’s mayoral academies, noted that no state in America has a charter process as restrictive as the one these legislators pushed through last week. Evidently, a rally involving hundreds of students pleading for consideration could not soften their hearts.

Rhode Island’s charter law, passed in 1995, was specifically designed to permit innovation by taking such schools out of the political process as much as possible. An extensive procedure with a focus on students’ needs rather than special interests’ demands included approval by the state Board of Education (and its predecessor), with the expert help of the Rhode Island Department of Education.

Amanda Fenton, of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers, noted: “Rhode Island’s charter sector is one of the highest-performing in the country, backed by a state board with a track record of thoroughly reviewing all applications and approving only the best. This proposal is a huge step backwards,” one of “inserting political obstruction” into a good process.

Education is too vital to the future of Rhode Island’s people and economy to be treated in this manner. While we have argued there may be a need to adjust the funding formula to help standard public schools, pummeling charter schools and hurting poor and minority students are not the answer. The full Assembly should reject this shameful approach. Students, parents and those who care about children should contact their legislators. Here are some others who need to hear from you: House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, (401) 222-2466; Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed, (401) 222-6655; Governor Raimondo, (401) 222-2080.

Ms. Raimondo has long made it clear that the struggling performance of Rhode Island’s public schools is unacceptable. Legislators should not count on her to look the other way as they strangle innovation.