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AB 84 sparks widespread opposition from charter-school parents and vendors; committee places bill on suspense
Summary
AB 84 drew large turnout of charter-school families and small vendors who warned the bill would cut nonclassroom funding and harm small businesses that provide services to charter and homeschool programs. Committee moved AB 84 to the suspense file.
The Senate Committee on Appropriations took testimony on AB 84 (Assemblymember Marisucci), a contentious bill proposing expanded oversight of charter schools and changes to funding and vendor relationships. After hours of testimony — largely from charter-school families, homeschool parents and small-business vendors — the committee placed the bill on the suspense file for additional fiscal review.
Opponents and many witness groups told the committee the bill would have substantial fiscal effects on nonclassroom-based charter programs and a broad ecosystem of vendors who provide tutoring, arts, sports and specialized services. Jessica Enos, speaking for AB Parents for Education, said the bill could "slash funding for nonclassroom based charter schools, potentially up to 30% and imposing new administrative costs," warning that the measure would "divert dollars to bureaucracy and enforcement." Tara Thornton, cofounder of Freedom Angels, called AB 84 an economic threat to small vendors, saying the measure "would wipe out a large number of small-business vendors" and describing the bill as crafted by entities that stood to gain financially.
Supporters and some advocates described the bill as an accountability measure. Public Advocates staff said they supported measures to strengthen oversight, but supporters at the hearing were far outnumbered by opponents. The Department of Finance did not file a formal position for AB 84 at the time of the hearing, but committee members repeatedly described AB 84 as a suspense-file candidate because of its potential administrative and fiscal costs. At the end of the testimony the chair said the bill would be placed on suspense for further review.
Why it matters: AB 84 drew large numbers of parents and family members whose children attend charter and nonclassroom-based programs. Witnesses emphasized the economic role of community vendors and small businesses and said the bill’s vendor and authorization provisions were written in ways that could reduce services to vulnerable students, including children with disabilities and others receiving alternative education models.
Next steps: The Appropriations Committee placed AB 84 on suspense so staff and members can more precisely estimate administrative and fiscal effects and consider amendments. If released from suspense it would return to the floor for further debate; otherwise it may be held in committee for the remainder of the session.
The hearing included many "me-too" speakers — individuals who gave brief statements in opposition after two lead witnesses delivered two-minute statements on behalf of organized groups.
