California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 181 (AB 181), an education budget trailer bill that significantly alters the operational authority of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The legislation, fast-tracked as part of the state budget, transfers executive responsibilities previously held by the elected Superintendent to a governor-appointed official, leaving the elected role largely advisory.
Republican candidate for State Superintendent, Sonja Shaw, who led the June primary, has sharply criticized the bill, calling it "one of the biggest power grabs in California history." Shaw, who will face Democrat Richard Barrera in the November runoff, argues that Newsom circumvented the electoral process by changing the rules for the office voters are electing. She contends that the law diminishes the authority of the elected Superintendent, making the position a "political puppet" rather than an independent watchdog.
Opponents of AB 181 argue that the restructuring fundamentally changes California's education system and that the bill was rushed through the legislative process without sufficient public scrutiny. Political strategist Matt Klink noted that the timing of the legislation, occurring shortly after Shaw's primary victory, suggests a political motivation to weaken the office before voters can fill it.
"California voters are being asked to elect a superintendent in November, while Sacramento is rewriting the job description in July," Klink stated.
Shaw has also linked the legislation to ongoing frustrations with California's education system, pointing to statewide academic performance metrics. She asserted that the priority should be improving student outcomes, not consolidating political control.
Supporters of AB 181, including Governor Newsom's office, maintain that the changes are intended to modernize California's education governance. They argue that the bill unifies policymaking with policy implementation and clarifies executive accountability within the Department of Education. Newsom stated the reforms aim to bring "greater accountability, clarity, and coherence" to the system, aligning education policies from early childhood through college.
The governor's office defended the bill, asserting it underwent multiple hearings and garnered support from over 950 organizations, including statewide school management associations and education equity groups. They stated that the proposal was subject to lengthy hearings in both legislative houses before its adoption.
The office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is established in the California Constitution and cannot be eliminated without voter approval via a constitutional amendment. Therefore, the elected official will retain constitutional duties, though their executive authority over the California Department of Education and its thousands of employees, grants, contracts, and programs will now be managed by a governor-appointed executive.