AB 84 & Al Muratsuchi: Unfit for Superintendent

Get to Know Al Muratsuchi - And Why AB 84 Should Disqualify Him as Superintendent of Public Instruction

Al Muratsuchi says he wants to protect public education. But his “signature bill”, AB 84, does the exact opposite.

Instead of supporting the diverse needs of California families, AB 84 attacks charter schools, especially those that offer flexible, parent-directed, and non-classroom-based learning. These schools serve tens of thousands of students across the state, including those with disabilities, rural families, and students who thrive outside of traditional classrooms.

AB 84 Would:

• Give the state more power to shut down charter schools and deny new petitions.
• Require all instruction to be delivered by credentialed staff employed by the school, despite a severe shortage of teachers and specialists.
• Ban the use of vendors, limiting expanded learning, SPED, and support services.
• Cut general funding for programs families rely on by over 30%.
• Limit the size and growth of independent study charter schools based on local district attendance, essentially blocking growth where parent demand is highest.

Let’s Be Clear:

During his February 2025 campaign launch for State Superintendent, Muratsuchi pledged to fight "attacks on public education."

But AB 84 is the real attack on public charter schools, family choice, and educational equity.

Rather than improving California’s struggling education system, this bill punishes what’s working. And instead of supporting students, it supports bureaucracy.

The Facts:

• Charter school students outperform similar students in traditional schools.
• Public-school enrollment is declining, but charter demand is rising.
• California's traditional public school spending is at a record high, but:
  
  • Only 35.5% of students are meeting state math standards.
  • Only 47% meet English standards.
• Charter schools are doing more with less money and AB 84 threatens to take even that away.

A Pattern of Political Opportunism

This isn’t the first time Al Muratsuchi has tried to position himself both with families and with powerful unions.

In 2019, Muratsuchi expressed concern about bills that could shut down high-performing charter schools, saying,

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“I want to support any measure that will crack down on bad charter schools... My concern is that this bill may risk shutting down good existing charter schools.”

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But now, with his campaign for State Superintendent underway, he has authored AB 84, a bill that threatens even the best-performing charter models, including those serving students with special needs, rural learners, and families seeking culturally responsive or trauma-informed education.

What changed?

His political ambitions.

AB 84 aligns perfectly with the agenda of the state’s most powerful teachers’ unions, whose endorsement he now needs to advance his campaign. Muratsuchi didn’t just shift his position, he flipped it. And in doing so, he’s trading educational access for political capital.

That’s not leadership. It’s opportunism. And California families deserve better.

So Why the Attack?

Because charter schools offer an alternative, and alternatives challenge the status quo.

Instead of working to improve outcomes for all students, AB 84 delivers what the state’s most powerful special interest group, the teachers’ unions, have wanted for years: fewer choices for families and more control for the system.

These unions have fought to limit educational options, especially flexible, parent-directed charter models that threaten their monopoly on education funding. AB 84 gives them exactly what they want, by cutting funding, blocking innovation, and removing options that work for thousands of California students.

This isn’t about fiscal oversight… It’s about control.

And it’s not just bad policy, it’s a conflict of interest.

Al Muratsuchi, the author of AB 84 and chair of the Assembly Education Committee, is now running for State Superintendent. He’s also received campaign support from the very unions that stand to gain from this bill.

So California families deserve to ask: Who is he really working for, California students, or his political donors?

What Can You Do?

• Spread the Word. Share this with other families who care about educational freedom.
• Watch who you support and vote for in the next election. AB 84 should be a red flag for anyone considering Muratsuchi for Superintendent.
• Call Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, (916) 319-2066, and tell him to pull AB 84. California families are watching and we won’t forget who stood up for students and who sided with special interests.
• Then, submit your opposition through his campaign site: https://www.alforcaliforniaschools.com/get-involved
  
  • Fill in your name, zip code, phone number, and email
  • When asked if you endorse him, select “No”
  • In the comments, say something like: “I strongly oppose AB 84 and would never support a candidate who attacks charter schools and underserved students.”
  • Hit submit and let’s make sure he knows where we stand.
• Contact your Assemblymember and State Senator. Ask them to vote NO on AB 84 or abstain.
  
  • We urge families to respectfully and confidently contact their California legislators to share these concerns about Assembly Bill 84 (AB 84) and Al Muratschui.

Not sure who represents you?

Use this tool to find your California State Assemblymember and Senator: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/

What to Do If Your Assembly or Senate Seat Is Vacant

If your Assemblymember or State Senator seat is currently vacant, you still have a voice and it deserves to be heard. When you don’t have direct representation, it’s important to contact the leadership of each chamber and ask them to represent your region’s concerns.

Step 1: Let them know you don’t currently have a representative due to a vacancy.

Step 2: Ask them to oppose AB 84 on your behalf as a resident and voter in California.

Step 3: Be sure to include your ZIP code and city so your concern is logged for your region.

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Speaker of the Assembly – Robert Rivas

• Mailing Address:
  State Capitol
  P.O. Box 942849
  Sacramento, CA 94249-0029
• Phone: (916) 319-2029
• Fax: (916) 319-2129
• Website: speaker.asmdc.org

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Senate President pro Tempore – Mike McGuire

• Office Address:
  1021 O Street, Suite 8518
  Sacramento, CA 95814
• Phone: (916) 651-4002
• Website: sd02.senate.ca.gov

Your voice is powerful, especially when it’s informed, respectful, and rooted in your lived experience. Let’s stand together for equity, choice, and every student’s right to learn.

Let’s stand up for schools that put students first.

Sample Call Script

Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a parent from [City], ZIP code [XXXXX].

I’m calling to express my strong opposition to Assembly Bill 84.

This bill would directly harm students who rely on flexible, parent-directed charter schools, especially those with disabilities, learning differences, or medical needs. It cuts funding by over 30 percent, bans the use of educational vendors, and limits school growth, even when there is clear demand from families.

It also requires that all instruction come only from credentialed staff employed directly by the school, which would exclude qualified experts and community educators, like artists, scientists, language instructors, and special education service providers all who help enrich our students’ education.

This bill is not about improving public education. It’s about removing choices and forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model.

Please vote no or abstain on AB 84 and stand up for educational equity and family choice.

Thank you.

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Sample Letter or Email

Subject: Vote NO on AB 84 – Protect Public Charter Students and Family Choice

Dear [Assemblymember/Senator Last Name],

I’m writing as a concerned parent in [City, ZIP Code] to urge you to vote NO or abstain on Assembly Bill 84.

This bill threatens the very programs that work for thousands of California students, especially those who have not been well-served by traditional schools. AB 84 would:

• Slash general funding by over 30 percent
• Ban the use of qualified educational vendors who provide tutoring, arts, mental health support, and special education services
• Require all instruction to be delivered by credentialed staff employed directly by the school, excluding subject-matter experts and real-world educators
• Limit the growth of schools based not on student need, but on district enrollment numbers
• Expand the state’s authority to deny and revoke charter petitions, reducing access for families

Rather than improving outcomes for students, this bill punishes innovation and limits opportunity, especially for families who depend on flexible, non-classroom-based public schools.

I urge you to oppose AB 84 and stand with families like mine who need access to diverse, student-centered options.

Sincerely,[Your Full Name][City, ZIP Code][Optional: Your phone number or role, e.g., “Parent of a student at a public charter school”]