Political Playback: California Capitol News You Might Have Missed

July 13, 2026

California is undertaking several major policy initiatives affecting education, healthcare, and civil rights. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond has created a workgroup to address escalating healthcare costs burdening school districts and their employees, appointing attorney and economist Mark Harris to lead policy development. Meanwhile, Governor Newsom signed groundbreaking legislation restructuring the state's century-old education governance system while announcing a record $151.

Who is affected

TK-12 school districts and educators across California
Approximately 751,117 local government employees in California
Mark T. Harris (appointed to healthcare workgroup)
California students, particularly Black and Latino students experiencing achievement gaps
The two Democratic members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission who were dismissed
State and local election officials nationwide
Arabelia Martinez, a street vendor who was violently assaulted
Los Angeles street vendor community
Approximately 14 million Californians enrolled in Medi-Cal
Health insurance companies subject to managed care tax
Individual insurance purchasers in California (estimated $100 annual premium increase)

What action is being taken

The TK-12 Education Healthcare Cost Workgroup is examining the financial impact of increasing healthcare costs on school districts and identifying solutions
Controller Malia Cohen is releasing updated payroll data and maintaining a searchable database showing local government compensation
State officials are developing transition plans and reporting requirements for the new education governance structure implementation
The Los Angeles Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department is organizing community support events and encouraging victims to report discrimination incidents
California is awaiting federal approval from Dr. Oz for the managed care tax proposal
The Newsom administration is reviewing options if the federal government denies the managed care tax proposal

Why it matters

The healthcare cost workgroup matters because rising healthcare expenses are straining school district budgets and threatening educators' access to quality benefits. The education governance reform represents the most significant restructuring in over a century, aimed at addressing fragmented authority that has contributed to California ranking among the lowest-performing states and potentially improving outcomes for underserved students. The removal of Election Assistance Commission members threatens the independence of an agency designed to support fair elections just months before critical midterm elections. The Medi-Cal funding decision is crucial because it could affect healthcare coverage for 14 million vulnerable Californians while potentially raising insurance premiums for all state residents. The street vendor assault highlights ongoing discrimination and violence against vulnerable workers, emphasizing the need for protective measures and community support.

What's next

The new education governance structure takes effect in January 2027 when California's next governor and superintendent assume office
State officials will spend the coming months developing transition plans and reporting requirements for the education governance transition
Dr. Mehmet Oz will decide whether California can move forward with the $2 billion managed care tax proposal
If federal regulators reject the managed care tax proposal, state lawmakers could be forced to identify spending cuts or alternative revenue sources
The Newsom administration will review the rationale for denial, assess options, and determine next steps if the federal government denies the managed care tax proposal
California's current managed care tax expires at the end of the year

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint