California Controller Candidate Critiques Education Spending and Outcomes

Herb Morgan, a candidate for California state controller, has raised concerns about the state's education spending, which increased from $97 billion in 2019 to $151 billion in the current budget cycle. Despite this increase, Morgan argues that educational outcomes have not improved, citing a disconnect between funding and results. He attributes this issue to a lack of accountability in state finances, allowing funds to be mismanaged or lost in local bureaucracies. Morgan referenced specific cases of alleged fraud in educational institutions, including the A3 Education Charter Network and the Scale Leadership Academy. Incumbent State Controller Malia Cohen has previously stated the importance of financial oversight to ensure that funds reach the classroom. Morgan also noted that California's spending per student, which rose from $16,300 to $27,400, is significantly higher than states like Mississippi, which spends around $12,000 per student but reports better standardized test scores. He suggested that AI-driven oversight could improve accountability in managing state funds.