From The Deseret News: Utah's proposed education budget may force as many as 18 charter schools to close their doors next fall. Initial drafts of the 2010-11 budget, which still needs legislative approval, cut charter funding by $270 per pupil. Charter schools, which cannot levy taxes, already receive about $500 less than the state average for basic per-pupil spending. Even if schools manage to juggle the budget cuts, charters will be facing layoffs.