Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1539593
Looking Ahead to 2026 I N A P R I L , Capital & Main ran a story about the nine California Republican representatives who had voted earlier to advance the GOP's budget blueprint. It noted that of the nine, Reps. Kim, Valadao and Calvert (clockwise from top in the story 's accompanying illustration) won their seats in 2024 by the narrowest margins â 11, 7 and 3 percentage points, respectively, and could be vulnerable to voter backlash in the 2026 election. Rep. Darrell Issa CD 48 â Refused to meet with CTA members in his district; his office staff locked their doors when our delegation showed up. One of the richest members of Congress, Issa has built a legacy of shame on anti-regulation, pro-corporate and anti-worker policies. He voted to give himself a massive tax break at the expense of his community. Then: Claimed he supported "targeted reforms â not blanket cuts." Now: Voted for sweeping reductions to Medicaid that disproportionately harm working families and school districts. Potential Impact: $1.5 billion Medicaid cut over next 10 years, 10Kâ20K estimated to lose health coverage. Why These Cuts Matter School-Based Health Services: California school districts statewide rely on more than $250 million annually from Medicaid to fund school nurses, school counselors and other special education services. A 19% cut slashes vital funding by nearly one-fifth. Children with Disabilities: Medicaid reduction strains compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). With funding cuts, many districts won't be able to provide legally required special education services unless they cut general education programs. Food & Nutrition: $230 billion in School Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cuts nationally will hit schools that rely on CalFresh to qualify students for free or reduced-price meals and families who rely on the program to feed their hungry children. Health Care Coverage: A projected $28.4-billion Medicaid cut will strip coverage for approximately 3.4 million Californians. Sources: Congressional Joint Economic Committee, California Department of Healthcare Services, U.S. Census Bureau, California Budget & Policy Center, Education Trust-West and Children Now, San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post 9 27 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 5