Gov. Bill Haslam takes questions from reporters Tuesday.

Governor Bill Haslam may be considering the legislative session’s first veto. He says this week he received the final version of a bill that limits the number of foreign workers that a charter school can employ.

The legislation was pushed through the General Assembly by the same organization that tried to ban the practice of Sharia Law in Tennessee.

Charter schools would have to disclose any ties to or financial support from foreign governments. The privately run but publicly funded schools would also have to limit their numbers of foreign workers to 3.5 percent of their total staff. Haslam calls the idea “concerning.”

“We’re trying to encourage the growth of charter schools rather than put restrictions on them.”

The bill could become law without Haslam’s signature. The governor has another week to consider wielding his veto pen. He’s been encouraged to do so from several education leaders, including former chancellor of Washington D.C. schools Michelle Rhee.

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In this “legislative update,” Tennessee Eagle Forum applauds sponsor Judd Matheny for guiding the charter school legislation through the General Assembly.

The legislation passed last week.

An article in Education Week calls the charter school restrictions an “unusual measure.” During debate, Matheny said the bill is meant to give preference to Tennessee teachers.

Rep. Jeanne Richardson who lives in Shelby County said, “as far as I can tell there have been no nefarious foreign influence in our schools. Do you know something I don’t?”

Richardson says the bill makes Tennessee “look incredibly xenophobic.”