Bill Maher Slams California Democrats: Says Mississippi, Texas Outperform Golden State on Education and Energy
Bill Maher criticized California Democrats on Real Time, saying the state lags in education and green energy and claiming Mississippi and Texas outperform California on K‑12 outcomes for Black students and cost‑effectiveness, challenging progressive policy effectiveness.
- Maher argued Democrats “own” education, race and the environment but are losing ground in California to some red states.
- NAEP data cited: Maher referenced 2024 NAEP snapshots comparing Black fourth‑grade proficiency in reading and math between Mississippi and California.
- Policy contrast: Mississippi’s literacy reforms and Texas’s energy expansion were highlighted as practical successes despite lower per‑pupil spending or different political priorities.
- Verification advised: Precise NAEP percentages and the New York Times passage Maher cited should be checked against official releases and original reporting.
What Maher said on Real Time
Bill Maher told viewers that Democrats “own” education, race and the environment — then warned that California, despite its wealth and progressive reputation, is losing those fights to poorer, red states. On the show Maher said,
“Democrats, these are your issues: education, race, the environment. And I say this with love: you’re losing to the Waffle House, car-on-the-lawn states.”
Coverage of the episode referenced Hollywood In Toto and other outlets reporting Maher’s remarks and the figures he cited.
The data Maher cited
Maher pointed to what he described as 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) snapshots showing large gaps between states for Black fourth‑graders. He referenced a New York Times passage saying Mississippi’s Black fourth‑graders were about 19% proficient and 2% advanced in reading, versus California’s 7% proficient and 1% advanced; in fourth‑grade math the figures cited were roughly 22%/2% for Mississippi and 10%/1% for California.
NAEP is the federal “nation’s report card.” It samples students, uses a common standard across states, and reports performance in levels labeled Below Basic, Basic, Proficient and Advanced. For the official NAEP portal, see NAEP.
What the public record supports — and what needs verification
Maher’s broad claim — that Black fourth‑graders in Mississippi performed substantially better than those in California on NAEP — aligns with reporting that Mississippi has shown notable reading gains while California has struggled with persistent achievement gaps for Black and low‑income students. See coverage referenced by Maher such as Hollywood In Toto and the Daily Wire.
Times Media Service has not independently recovered the exact New York Times text or the full 2024 state‑by‑race NAEP tables for this report. The precise percentages Maher quoted should be checked against the official 2024 NAEP release at NAEP and the original New York Times article he referenced (New York Times, Feb. 9, 2026).
Why Mississippi may be improving
Education analysts attribute Mississippi’s reading gains to policy changes over the past decade such as adoption of structured literacy and phonics‑based instruction, clearer early‑grade benchmarks, and stronger accountability focused on third‑grade reading outcomes. Reporting on that turnaround has noted the state’s gains surprised observers given relatively low per‑pupil spending; see historical reporting and context in coverage like historical context.
Spending versus outcomes in California
California spends well above the national average per pupil and serves a large, diverse student population with many English learners and varying local conditions. Despite higher spending, the state has long‑standing achievement gaps by race and income on state tests and NAEP. Maher’s point — that more money alone is not translating into better outcomes — reflects ongoing debates over how funds are used, district governance, teacher preparation, curriculum choices, and accountability.
Maher’s broader pattern: energy and regulation
On the same episode, Maher linked his education argument to criticisms of California’s green‑energy policies, saying regulations and permitting can raise costs and slow progress, while states like Texas have rapidly expanded wind and grid capacity through a pro‑development approach. Examples and past clips are available in Maher archives and video excerpts such as Bill Maher clip, Bill Maher clip, and Bill Maher clip.
Limitations and caution for readers
- Check the numbers: The exact NAEP state‑by‑race percentages Maher cited should be verified at NAEP.
- Understand NAEP’s scale: “Proficient” on NAEP is a rigorous national benchmark and differs from classroom grades.
- State averages mask local variation: There are pockets of excellence in California and persistent gaps within Mississippi.
Implications for the United States
Economic impact: Education outcomes shape workforce readiness; if lower‑spending states post stronger early‑reading gains, questions arise about how education dollars are used and how to boost long‑term productivity.
Political consequences: Maher’s critique places Democrats on the defensive about core issues in a deep‑blue state, while conservatives may use the argument to emphasize results over ideology.
Social effects: Persistent achievement gaps harm children and communities; apparent gains in some states highlight the need for national conversations about best practices transferable to larger, more diverse systems.
Cultural relevance: The debate touches urban vs. rural governance, local control vs. statewide standards, and questions about whether certain curricula distract from foundational skills.
Practical applications: Parents and leaders should review school‑level data, consider proven reading practices, strengthen early‑grade benchmarks, and demand clearer accountability that emphasizes reading and math proficiency.
Sources and further reading
- Hollywood In Toto coverage of Maher’s segment
- Daily Wire report on Maher’s comments
- Bill Maher clip · Bill Maher clip · Bill Maher clip
- NAEP (the nation’s report card)
- Historical context and reporting on Mississippi reading gains
Parent Publication: Times Media Service
