ATLANTA -- Gov. Sonny Perdue signed three bills Tuesday designed to give charter schools a boost.

The first bill allows charter school applicants rejected by their local board of education to seek approval before a newly formed state charter commission.

The second bill paves the way for a state program to provide matching funds to charter school organizations for capital improvements or construction.

The third makes staff at charter schools eligible for the State Health Benefit Plan.

Perdue said that the three bills offer parents more options and will improve student achievement.

Georgia has 70 charter schools in operation. As many as 100 more are expected to open their doors next year.