Our Statement on Governor Newsom’s veto of SB 394
California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have directed state agencies to create a master plan for healthy, sustainable and climate-resilient schools. SB 394 (Gonzalez, D) would have cut fossil fuel pollution by upgrading schools with clean energy technologies that can provide cooling and clean air in classrooms.
In response, Jonathan Klein, co-founder of UndauntedK12 and California parent, released the following statement:
“On any given afternoon in California, more than one million children are on school campuses looking for shade. Classrooms with antiquated HVAC systems are regularly sweltering and children's learning suffers. Governor Newsom’s decision to veto a bill that would have helped schools get the upgrades they need is a misstep in a state that makes claims to lead on climate and equity. We are better than this.
Gov. Newsom’s veto cited the bill’s costs. But the costs of inaction are far greater than the one-time funding needed to create the climate-resilient schools master plan. This veto is a mistake that could cost the state millions. We’re surprised the Governor didn’t suggest a next step. If not SB394, what is his plan to protect student health and learning from disruptive and harmful extreme heat, wildfire smoke and other climate impacts?
Our Climate Ready Schools Coalition will fight on. Thousands of Californians took time to express support for this bill. SB 394 passed overwhelmingly with the support of Democrats and Republicans. We stand ready to work with Gov. Newsom this fall to advance the solutions that schools need given the rapidly changing climate. This is urgent work and I look forward to meeting with the Governor to understand his view and ideas for alternative steps to the consensus approach articulated in SB394.”
Senator Lena Gonzalez released the following statement:
“I’m disappointed the Governor chose not to sign our legislation to create a statewide Master Plan to keep kids safe from climate related health hazards,” said Senator Gonzalez. “A historic coalition of students, teachers, organized labor, education advocates, and climate stakeholders has called for the creation of a statewide vision that will help guide the state and local education leaders in making campuses climate-resilient – and SB 394 would have been one of the first bills in the nation to do so. The state of California must do better and must act quickly to protect students from extreme heat, flooding, wildfire smoke, and other climate-related health and safety impacts.”
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UndauntedK12 is a nonprofit organization with a mission to support America's K-12 public schools to make an equitable transition to zero carbon emissions while preparing youth to build a sustainable future in a rapidly changing climate.
UndauntedK12 partners with Ten Strands to support the Climate Ready Schools Coalition which works to ensure that the buildings and grounds of California's public schools are developed as sites of resilience and sustainability in this era of rapid climate change.
