Bills pushed by Gov. Bob McDonnell to give the state a role in establishing charter schools and laboratory schools run by state universities are on the way to his desk.

The Senate passed both House measures without debate Wednesday, a day after it passed its own identical proposals despite concerns by some that creating the new schools would drain already hurting public school budgets.

Another measure to allow the state to regulate online schools also passed the Senate, but it must head back to the House for a final vote because the Senate changed it.

The state Department of Education would be allowed to help charter-school providers with their applications. The decision whether to approve the schools would remain with the local school board.

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