Gov. Nathan Deal is responding to accusations by opponents of the November ballot question on charter schools who call it nothing more than a power grab by Deal.

Sen. Emanuel Jones (D-Decatur) made the comments at a news conference at the State Capitol Tuesday when a coalition of Democratic legislators, civil rights leaders, and teachers groups came together to oppose the measure.

“We do not support this governor and his five political appointees taking control of who gets a charter,” says Jones.

While Deal says everyone is entitled to their own opinion, he tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish the amendment, which would allow a state commission to approve charter schools if they are first rejected by local school systems, is about offering alternatives to families.

“I just happen to think that parents ought to have some choices and that children ought to be able to have some choices, as well, in terms of their public education,” he says.