PORTLAND (AP) - For years, Oregon lawmakers blocked efforts to allow local government to charge builders a fee in order to defray the costs of educating students who may move into new housing developments.

But that could change in the upcoming legislative session, when Democrats, who have historically gotten far fewer contributions from the powerful Oregon Home Builders' Association, take control of both chambers.

And with school construction a top issue in fast-growing districts from Bend to Beaverton, advocates say they're hopeful that Oregon will join the other eight states that already allow so-called “school impact fees.”

Builders have resisted such fees, saying they would slow housing construction, hurt the overall economy, and further increase home costs.

A bipartisan work group that includes a representative from the Oregon Home Builders Association is considering school fees in exchange for what would be a controversial cap on park fees allowed under state law.

Oregon's school enrollment is projected to grow 6 percent by 2014, with much of it concentrated in the Willamette Valley. The Portland region alone is projected to get 1 million new residents by 2030.

But even supporters note that school charges wouldn't come close to covering full school construction costs. And the fees could backfire, they warn, if voters turn down local school building bonds because they think builders' fees cover the cost.

Builders have also traditionally been big contributors to local school bond measures. Those measures succeeded this month in some key districts, including Bend, Beaverton, Hillsboro and North Clackamas. But they failed in some fast-growing but relatively poor districts, including David Douglas, Forest Grove and Woodburn.

In many Oregon communities, builders already pay “system development charges” for parks, sewers, water systems and roads, all allowed under state law.

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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com