Bill Maher Criticizes California Democrats on Education and Green Energy

Bill Maher used his program, “Real Time with Bill Maher,” to express criticism towards California Democrats regarding issues in education and green energy. He highlighted how states like Mississippi and Texas are surpassing California on matters commonly championed by Democrats.

“Democrats, these are your issues: education, race, the environment,” Maher asserted. “And I say this with love: you’re losing to the Waffle House, car-on-the-lawn states.”

Maher noted that California’s educational outcomes, especially for Black students, are difficult to defend when compared to Mississippi. Using fourth-grade results as a benchmark, he pointed out significant disparities.

“Did you know that a Black fourth grader in Mississippi is two and a half times more likely to be proficient in math and reading than one in California?” Maher questioned. “Mississippi is outperforming us in education and at a lower cost. We rank 37th in fourth-grade reading. They’re ninth.”

Maher’s critique stems from a February 2026 New York Times article highlighting national testing results. It showed that a Black child in Mississippi is significantly more likely to be proficient in reading by fourth grade compared to their California peers.

The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Programs snapshots detailed the proficiency levels, showing Mississippi’s Black fourth-graders at 19% proficient and 2% advanced in reading, whereas California stands at 7% proficient and 1% advanced. In math, Mississippi’s students showed 22% proficiency and 2% advanced, compared to 10% proficiency and 1% advanced in California.

Turning to energy, Maher noted that Texas exceeds California in solar and wind energy production. “Texas has passed California in solar and excels in wind and energy storage,” he stated. “How does a state with no pro-climate policies achieve better climate results than a state where environmental slogans abound?”

Data from the Energy Information Administration, as cited by Inside Climate News, revealed Texas generated 58,634 gigawatt-hours from utility-scale solar in 2025, while California produced 53,713 gigawatt-hours.

Maher attributed differences in energy production to permitting, building policies, and bureaucratic hurdles. “Because you’re allowed to build there,” Maher explained. “In Texas, every third person isn’t occupied with ensuring nothing gets done.”

He began by discussing San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a Democrat running for governor whose polling numbers were low according to a UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll, while other candidates like Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer lead the field.

Maher criticized the cumbersome processes in California, noting that unions, bureaucrats, lawyers, consultants, regulators, and special interest groups contribute to inefficiencies. “It’s why the railroads don’t get built, the potholes remain, the homeless remain unhoused, and the children fall behind in learning,” Maher remarked.

He also addressed criticisms towards some Republican senators regarding their responses to Donald Trump, pointing out Sen. Thom Tillis from North Carolina and Sen. Bill Cassidy from Louisiana, both of whom faced challenges or chose to retire. Maher mentioned Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell from Kentucky, joking about his survival amidst political turmoil.

Fox News Digital contacted Governor Gavin Newsom for his comments but did not receive an immediate response.

CJ Womack, associate editor at Fox News, joined Fox News Digital in 2026, focusing on journalism’s impact on politics and culture. A Long Beach State University graduate, Womack holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Journalism. Story tips can be shared at [email protected], and followers are invited to engage on Twitter.