SACRAMENTO, CA — On Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 414 (Ashby), citing significant fiscal pressures on the state budget and calling upon all negotiating parties to reconvene in the months ahead to develop a path forward ahead of the 2026 legislative session.
While the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) is disappointed by this outcome, the organization emphasizes that the overwhelming bipartisan support for SB 414 in both legislative houses represents a landmark moment for California’s charter public schools — and a clear signal of growing momentum for fair and equitable treatment of charter public schools and students.
“SB 414 marked a major step forward in building greater accountability and equity for all public schools, while recognizing the important role charter schools play in California’s education system,” said Myrna Castrejón, President and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association. “Although we are disappointed in the Governor’s veto, we are proud of the broad coalition that helped advance this bill and the significant progress we made together. We look forward to working with the Administration and Legislature to find a viable path that continues this progress in 2026.”
In collaboration with Senator Angelique Ashby and key coalition partners — including theCharter Schools Development Center, APlus+, Real Journey Academies, and Learn4Life — CCSA mobilized a record number of advocates statewide. Collectively, charter supporters sent more than 31,700 emails and made 1,000 phone calls to lawmakers during the 2025 legislative session.
That collective advocacy not only advanced SB 414 but also defeated AB 84 (Muratsuchi), a proposal that posed an existential threat to charter schools and would have stripped away $1.4 billion in funding from public charter school students — equivalent to approximately $4,000 per student for nonclassroom-based schools and $600 per student for site-based schools.
CCSA extended deep gratitude to Senator Ashby for her leadership in authoring SB 414 and championing fairness for charter students, as well as to every educator, parent, and supporter who took part in the fight for equity and choice in California’s public education system.
“This year’s efforts demonstrate that our movement is strong, organized, and leading,” Castrejón added. “With just 11 weeks until the Legislature reconvenes, our focus remains on unity, collaboration, and advocacy for every charter public school student in the state.”
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About the California Charter Schools Association
The vision of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) is to build great public schools of joy and rigor that prepare all California students for success in college, career, community, and life. The mission of CCSA is to meet parent, educator, and community need for great public school options by supporting and advocating for high quality non-profit charter schools and sharing their success throughout California’s public schools. Learn more.