State Controller Malia Cohen Releases Report Providing “Best Practices” for Charter Schools
On Sept. 25, State Controller Malia Cohen released the Multi-Agency Charter School Audits Task Force (Task Force) report listing recommendations that reflect best practices to be adhered to — and implemented by — charter schools and local education agencies (LEAs).
The report titled “ Audit Best Practices for Detecting and Curtailing Charter School Fraud” includes 20 recommendations applicable to school districts and county offices.
“I was surprised to learn, although charter schools brought us to this work and brought us to this table, a majority of the recommendations apply to all public schools. So, there is an added benefit to everyone.”
There are 1,300 charter schools operating in the state, according to Cohen.
The Task Force was assembled by a court order after 11 individuals affiliated with charter schools charged by the San Diego District Attorney were convicted of multiple counts of fraud. The case turned out to be the largest fraud scheme committed against California since the state adopted public charter school legislation in 1992, according to San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan.
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“Controller Cohen didn’t hesitate to take action to seal the cracks that were exposed by our successful prosecution of this widespread charter school scam,” Stephan said. “Thanks to the task force, we are ensuring that moving forward, criminals will not be able to perpetrate large-scale scams that previously took advantage of California taxpayers, parents, and students.”
The task force report is broken down into four categories. Cohen and task force members recommended a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) authorization, qualifications, training, and K-12 Audit Guide Compliance; rotation of CPAs and notifications of late audit reports; K-12 audit guide; and disclosures of audit reports.
As the chief fiscal officer of California, Cohen is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state’s financial resources. The Controller has independent auditing authority over government agencies that spend state funds.
“This accomplishment and the next actions that will be taken ensure accountability, transparency, and the significant investment in education that the state of California makes to our children,” Cohen said of the task force’s duties.
New California Law Will Protect Students During Extreme Weather
On Sept. 22, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that will protect students from extreme weather conditions by requiring the California Department of Education to develop guidelines for school districts to implement during weather patterns harmful to student health.
Authored by Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger), “Yahushua’s Law” or Senate Bill 1248 addresses an extreme heat-related fatality in Lake Elsinore. During the summer of 2023, a student died after participating in physical education suffered extreme heat-related illness.
“No student should ever lose their life on campus to extreme weather when we can take steps to protect them by preparing statewide plans to minimize exposure to the most harmful elements of exposure,” Sen. Hurtado stated last Spring. “I commend the family of Yahushua Robinson, the twelve-year student who lost his life due to heat related illness during on-campus physical education, for lending their emotional strength and compassion for others in order to help ensure that no other student loses their life this way.”
Supporters of the legislation say the lack of uniform guidelines and protocols across schools and school districts in California intensifies the issue, creating an urgent need for safeguards to ensure student safety during extreme weather conditions.
“This law symbolizes a commitment to child safety and the embodiment of Yahushua’s values in recognizing our shared humanity within every student,” stated Christina Laster, a Robinson Family Representative and Advocate. “It is an actionable promise to prioritize student well-being, honor the life of Yahushua, and prevent future tragedies.”
California Sues ExxonMobil for Dishonest Recycling Claims
Last week, California filed a lawsuit against Exxon Mobil. On Sept. 23, Attorney General Rob Bonta accused the company of deceiving the public for decades, claiming that the plastic it produced was being recycled to reduce its impact on the environment. ExxonMobil is the world’s largest producer of chemical compounds that make plastic.
In the complaint filed in the San Francisco County Superior Court, the Department of Justice (DOJ) alleged that ExxonMobil caused and worsened the global plastic pollution crisis. For decades ExxonMobil created marketing campaigns and public statements promising that recycling would address the large amount of plastic waste the company produced.
Bonta aims to stop the company’s deceptive practices that threaten the environment and the public. He also seeks to secure an abatement fund, disgorgement, and civil penalties for the harmful impact of plastic pollution on the environment and communities statewide.
“Plastics are everywhere, from the deepest parts of our oceans, the highest peaks on earth, and even in our bodies, causing irreversible damage — in ways known and unknown — to our environment and potentially our health,” said Bonta.
Bonta argued that ExxonMobil lied to the public to further its record-breaking profits at the expense of the planet and jeopardize people’s health. The state claims that only 5% of plastic waste was recycled nationwide, and the company’s recycling rate has never exceeded 9%. In the lawsuit, the state urges the court to hold ExxonMobil accountable for its role in actively harming the environment.
Lauren Kight, a spokesperson for ExxonMobil, argued that the state is responsible for harming the environment and is looking to pass on the blame.
“For decades, California officials have known their recycling system isn’t effective,” said in a statement.
“They failed to act, and now they seek to blame others. Instead of suing us, they could have worked with us to fix the problem and keep plastic out of landfills,” she said.
In addition to the DOJ’s lawsuit, non-profit organizations such as Sierra Club, Surfrider Foundation, Heal the Bay, and Baykeeper filed a separate lawsuit regarding ExxonMobil’s role in causing the global plastics pollution crisis.
Climate Week 2024: Newsom Announces New California Initiative
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced an environmental campaign at Climate Week NYC to encourage 1 million state residents to take daily actions to help tackle climate change.
The campaign urges residents to pledge that they will fight global warming with “everyday actions” such as composting, using public transit instead of driving, and planting trees or native plants. State officials launched the campaign at Climate Week in New York City, a gathering of climate leaders from government, industry, as well as activists that seek to promote solutions to conserving the environment.
The climate pledge aims to motivate residents to live sustainable lives, reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, and overcome the feeling of anxiety and helplessness due to the impact of climate change.
The campaign is based on the California Climate Action Corps, a climate change volunteer program that the state launched four years ago. Over the years, the program has grown to 400 members and helped model American Climate Corps across various states and the White House.
Josh Fryday, the chief service officer with the governor’s office, stated the campaign has mobilized thousands of volunteers to have a real impact on the environment. The Governor’s office also plans to partner with local organizations in various communities statewide to expand the climate change campaign.
“Together, we can create collective impact,” said Fryday, “and our partners, by organizing people on campuses and in the workplace and in their cities, are going to demonstrate that we can do this.”
State officials serving in the governor’s administration stated that they have shifted their focus from discussing environmental issues to inspiring action that tackles climate change in communities statewide.
Biden-Harris Gun Safety Executive Order Reinforces California Gun Laws
On Sept. 26, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris announced an executive order that directs federal agencies to improve school-based active shooter drills and combat the rising threat of violence from 3-D printed and converted firearms.
The directive aims to advance the Biden-Harris administration’s agenda to reduce gun violence and save lives. The agenda aligns with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s goal to strengthen gun laws and prevent traumatic incidents of mass violence. Two days before the White House announcement, Newsom signed 24 bipartisan bills enacting new measures that increase protections against gun violence and domestic violence, as well as mass shootings.
“California won’t wait until the next school shooting or mass shooting to act,” said Newsom.
“Data shows that California’s gun safety laws are effective in preventing gun-related deaths — which makes the ongoing inaction and obstruction by politicians in the pocket of the gun lobby even more reprehensible,” he said.
The executive order stated that President Biden is establishing an Emerging Firearms Threats Task Force that consists of federal leaders from key departments and agencies. The task force is required to issue a 90-day report assessing the threats posed by unserialized 3-D guns and machinegun conversion devices and the capacity of federal agencies to detect and intercept the creation of these devices. The task force will provide an interagency plan to combat the threats. Congress will grant funding and authority to federal agencies to help the task force achieve the mandated objectives.
The Biden-Harris administration says, “Congress must act” and acknowledges that there is more work to do regarding gun violence prevention actions that can save lives.
Newsom commended the Biden-Harris Administration’s “leadership in advancing – yet again – life-saving policies to make up for Congress’s continued failure to protect our communities from gun violence.”
More Than 1.2 Million Youth Pre-Registered to Vote, Secretary of State Weber Announced
Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber announced on Sept. 26 that more than 1.2 million young people between the ages of 16 and 17-years-old have pre-registered to vote since the state launched the initiative in September 2016. The state program automatically activates voter registration for pre-registered youth when they turn 18 years of age.
Weber, who has visited dozens of high schools across the state to promote voting initiatives, said that students are eager to vote and look forward to casting their first ballot, and “the numbers back them up.”
“Young Californians want to be engaged, active participants in our democracy and they can position themselves to do so by preregistering to vote,” said Weber.
Weber said that she is committed to encouraging young people to pre-register to vote, adding that she looks forward to partnering with the California Department of Education, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, school officials, and leaders of community-based organizations to expand this effort.
According to Weber’s office, approximately 42% of young voters are registered Democrats, while over 13% are registered Republicans. Another 35% of young voters registered as having “no party preference.”
For more information, Californians can visit the online pre-registration website at www.RegisterToVote.ca.gov. Registration is open to residents who are 16 or 17 and meet all the following criteria:
- A United States citizen and a resident of California.
- 18 years old or older on Election Day.
- Not currently serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony
- Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court.
More information about pre-registration for California youth can be found at sos.ca.gov/elections/pre-register-16-vote-18.
Upcoming key deadlines and dates for the November 5, 2024, General Election can be found at here.
Plus, see a complete California General Election Calendar for more voting details and updates.
