Bill Maher says California is losing on education and energy — cites Mississippi’s NAEP gains and points to grid troubles
Bill Maher argued on Real Time that Democratic-led California is underperforming on education and energy, citing New York Times NAEP figures showing higher Black 4th-grade proficiency in Mississippi and raising concerns about California’s grid reliability.
- Maher cites NYT NAEP snapshots: Mississippi shows markedly higher 4th-grade proficiency rates for Black students than California.
- Spending contrast: California spends far more per pupil while ranking lower on some 4th-grade measures.
- Energy critique: Maher argues California’s green-energy policies haven’t guaranteed better reliability or lower costs than some red states such as Texas.
- Local implications: Paso Robles could face economic, political and social effects tied to statewide education and energy outcomes.
What Maher said on the show
On the Feb. 9, 2026 episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, Maher framed his remarks as a point about political accountability: Democrats “own” education and should be judged on outcomes. He said Democrats are losing to the “Waffle House, car-on-the-lawn states,” singling out Mississippi and Texas as examples where outcomes on measures Democrats often highlight are better. Coverage of the segment summarized his key lines and the New York Times figures he cited; see the Hollywood In Toto coverage.
The NAEP numbers Maher cited
Maher referenced a New York Times analysis of 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) snapshots showing stark differences for Black 4th-graders:
- Reading (4th grade, Black students): Mississippi ~19% proficient and ~2% advanced; California ~7% proficient and ~1% advanced.
- Math (4th grade, Black students): Mississippi ~22% proficient and ~2% advanced; California ~10% proficient and ~1% advanced.
The NYT described the contrast as “astonishing,” noting a Black Mississippi child was about 2.5 times as likely to be proficient in reading by 4th grade as a Black child in California — a ratio Maher used to question whether progressive policies have produced superior outcomes.
Context on NAEP and state comparisons
NAEP is the federal “nation’s report card” and is based on sample testing, not a full census. State-by-state snapshots are widely used for comparison, but experts warn such comparisons require context. Factors include differences in population, shares of English learners, student mobility and concentrated poverty. Still, the broad pattern Maher highlighted — Mississippi’s gains in early reading and California’s below-average standing on some 4th-grade measures — has appeared in past NAEP cycles and reporting.
Why Mississippi has improved, and what it did differently
Education researchers credit Mississippi’s progress to policy changes and focused literacy work. Key reforms include the 2013 Literacy-Based Promotion Act, stronger phonics-based reading instruction, targeted coaching and changes to promotion rules. These sustained, concentrated efforts are widely cited as drivers of Mississippi’s 4th-grade reading gains and explain why analysts call it an “unlikely education success story.”
Spending and rankings: “for way less money”
Maher noted Mississippi spends less per pupil than California. National spending data show California typically spends above the national average (especially after cost-of-living adjustments and recent funding increases) while Mississippi spends below average. That contrast has fueled commentary that Mississippi achieved notable gains with fewer dollars. Maher also cited a ranking contrast — saying California was 37th in 4th-grade reading while Mississippi was ninth — which matches the broader narrative of Mississippi’s rise and California’s lower placement in some national comparisons.
Critiques and caveats from education experts
Scholars and policy analysts say Maher’s point can serve as a provocation but warn his framing simplifies complex causes. Common critiques include:
- NAEP snapshots don’t capture the full story of attainment over time or long-term outcomes.
- State comparisons often do not control for differences in student populations, immigration patterns, concentration of poverty or English-learner status.
- Outcomes depend on many factors beyond state-level policy, including local governance, district leadership and family economics.
A UCLA commentary on prior Maher episodes argued earlier segments oversimplified causes and leaned on reform narratives some scholars call “misguided” or “uninformed.”
Green energy and the California–Texas contrast
Maher extended his critique to green energy and the electric grid, arguing California’s policy choices have not delivered more reliable, affordable power than some red states such as Texas. He contrasted California’s strict regulation and grid challenges with Texas’ rapid wind and solar growth and different market structure, suggesting progressive environmental policy does not automatically yield better practical results. Several of his segments are available as video clips: Maher clip (n2GeS-yAsIQ), Maher clip (rqjJDakqON0), Maher clip (00qbyQfOTeo).
How Maher’s argument fits politically
Maher’s segment is political commentary more than policy analysis. His argument is likely to resonate with conservative viewers who question the efficiency and results of big government and progressive policy. He frames the issue as one of accountability: if Democrats claim moral and technical superiority on equity and climate, they should be judged by on-the-ground outcomes such as student proficiency and grid reliability.
Implications for Paso Robles, California
Local implications span economics, politics and social outcomes:
- Economic impact: Statewide school performance affects the future local labor pool; energy reliability affects vineyards, tourism, manufacturing and small businesses.
- Political consequences: Conservative voters in Paso Robles may press local and state leaders for reforms on literacy and energy planning.
- Social effects: Lower early reading proficiency statewide can widen achievement gaps; communities may call for tutoring, curriculum shifts or partnerships with charter and private initiatives.
- Practical applications: Local school boards could review literacy instruction and expand tutoring; city planners could pursue microgrids, storage incentives or resilience measures.
Sources and reporting notes
Primary sources and coverage cited in this article include the New York Times (Feb. 9, 2026), the Hollywood In Toto coverage, Maher Real Time video clips (clip 1, clip 2, clip 3), a UCLA commentary, and the NAEP website.
For local readers in Paso Robles
To follow up: check your school district’s literacy plans, attend school-board meetings, and consult state NAEP summaries and California Department of Education reports to compare local results with the state numbers Maher discussed.
