State Senator Michael Rubio (D-Shafter), a business-friendly Democrat, suddenly resigned his seat, citing family concerns, although state leaders and investigating his dubious ties to the Chevron Corporation. Three candidates have thrown their hat in the ring to replace Rubio in State Senate District 16, a constituency which stretches from Kings to Kern Country, from Fresno to Bakersfield. The candidates are Democrats Leticia Perez and Fran Florez, and Republicans John Estrada and Andy Vidak.
Whoever campaigns for the seat in the upcoming special election, those contenders must share with voters whether they will support SB 451 and SB 452 once it comes to committee next month. The first bill offers to expand "open enrollment" or "school choice" to every student in the state of California, while the second bill will empower parents to press for more reforms at their local schools.
These two bills were submitting by State Senate Minority Leader Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar), who also authored the effective, nationally-recognized parent-trigger law, which has empowered frustrated students and furious parents to stand up to school district bureaucracies and union leader chicanery and take over failing schools, specifically in Adelanto and South Los Angeles.
Golden State citizens have a Golden opportunity to enact school choice for all students. The candidate who voices support for SB 451 and SB 452 deserves to win the special election for State Senate District 16. Every voter must demand that our legislators support the expansion of educational fairness and scholastic equity in the state of California.