Governor Gavin Newsom has called a special session of the Legislature for early December. The announced reason is to prepare California for the consequences of a Trump Administration but the real reason is to raise Newsom’s national profile. While there will be consequences from a new federal administration, that administration doesn’t take office until two weeks after the Legislature is already scheduled to reconvene in early January so there’s no reason for an earlier session. The special session is just a political stunt.
The special session Newsom should have called long ago is one to address the shameful performance of California’s K-12 school system over which he and the Legislature have authority and on which the state is spending $133 billion this year. But as he demonstrated during the pandemic, even when five million kids are at risk he will not challenge teacher’s unions or any other interest group that plays a powerful role in his party’s politics.
California’s next governor must be willing to take political risks to improve life for Californians. Supporting such a candidate in the 2026 contest for governor is one of GFC’s priorities. If you are being asked to support a candidate, we hope you will wait for our recommendation. We will all be more powerful if we act together. We also welcome your input.
