Bill Maher criticized California’s performance on education and green energy, arguing that Democrat-run states are falling behind on issues the party regularly claims as central priorities.

Maher pointed to Mississippi and Texas as examples of states producing better results than California in areas including schools, race, and the environment.

His comments focused on fourth-grade proficiency in math and reading, as well as solar, wind, and energy storage development.

“Did you know that a black fourth grader in Mississippi is two and a half times as likely to be proficient in math and reading as one in California. Mississippi is kicking our ass in education and for way less money,” Maher said.

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Maher said California ranks far behind Mississippi in fourth-grade reading, despite California’s reputation as a wealthy, heavily regulated blue state with large public spending commitments.

“We're 37th in fourth grade reading, they're ninth,” Maher said.

Maher then turned to energy policy, arguing that Texas has outpaced California in green energy despite having fewer policies associated with climate activism.

“Texas is kicking our ass in green energy. The average time to get solar panels connected there was three to four months, about 1000 days faster than it took me,” Maher said.

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Maher referenced his own experience trying to get solar panels connected, saying the process in California took so long that an older form of energy production might have been faster.

“Remember when I was trying to get my solar hooked up, it would have been quicker to build a windmill,” Maher said.

According to Maher, Texas has moved ahead of California in solar while also doing better on wind power and energy storage.

“Texas has passed California in solar and blows away California when it comes to wind and energy storage,” Maher said.

Maher questioned how Texas could produce better green energy results than California when California politicians and voters are known for embracing climate-focused messaging.

“How does a state with no pro climate policies produce better climate results than a state where here, even though we have so much better stickers on our bumper Priuses, bumper stickers on our Priuses? You know what I'm saying,” Maher said.

Maher said the answer is tied to California’s regulatory climate and the state’s difficulty getting projects built.

“I'll tell you why, because you're allowed to build there, because every third person in Texas isn't someone whose job it is to make sure nothing gets done,” Maher said.

Maher framed education, race, and the environment as Democratic issues, then said Democrats are losing ground to states they often dismiss.

“Democrats, these are your issues: education, race, the environment, and I say this with love, you're losing to the Waffle House car on the lawn states,” Maher said.

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