Gavin Newsom’s controversial “free diapers” program gained’t face the scrutiny typical for state contractors — with the governor quietly carving out an exemption from bidding guidelines, regardless of rising questions on favoritism and waste.
The $12.5 million ”Golden State Begin” was rolled out forward of Mom’s Day and provides 400 free diapers to all California dad and mom no matter revenue.
Newsom is beneath hearth for tapping Los Angeles-based Baby2Baby to run this system due to the nonprofit’s shut ties to his gender filmmaker spouse.
Siebel Newsom co-founded the California Companions Challenge, which helped facilitate the partnership.
Baby2Bay’s co-CEO, Norah Weinstein sits on the board California Companions Challenge, which collects “behested funds” from her husband to spice up her profile as a gender justice activist.
In a letter to the California Legislature’s finances committees obtained by The Put up, Newsom’s workplace asks not solely requested $12.5 million for the subsequent 12 months, however for an exemption from aggressive bidding practices designed to safeguard taxpayer’s cash.
State Sen. Roger Niello, who’s vice chair of the Price range and Fiscal Evaluation Committee, instructed The Put up the diaper plan simply “doesn’t make sense.”
“The entire thing simply type of stinks,” he mentioned.
Newsom’s Division of Finance requested for an exemption from normal elements of the Authorities Code, the Public Contract Code and the State Administrative Manuel, which specify have to be a number of bidders for contracts, with these bids then reviewed by the Division of Common Providers.
The division mentioned it was flatly inaccurate to counsel that the request “eradicated competitors or transparency” as a result of the state had already sought out distributors.
“Diaper producers, nonprofits, diaper banks, and meals banks have been invited to take part, and responses have been evaluated based mostly on distributors’ capability to satisfy this system’s operational and distribution objectives,” mentioned a spokesperson.
“The proposed finances language you might be inquiring about would guarantee program continuity in Yr 2 as proposed funding expands free diapers to extra households in additional hospitals statewide.”
Niello argued that working this system by way of a nonprofit — as an alternative of getting the federal government or hospitals shopping for the diapers immediately — is an odd technique if the objective is to maintain prices low.
”They’re going thorough a intermediary, a nonprofit, and that’s going to have administrative bills,” Niello mentioned.
Obtain The California Put up App, comply with us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
California Put up Information: Fb, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn
California Put up Sports activities Fb, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X
California Put up Opinion
California Put up Newsletters: Join right here!
California Put up App: Obtain right here!
Dwelling supply: Join right here!
Web page Six Hollywood: Join right here!
“That may enhance the unit value.”
Baby2Baby beforehand instructed The Put up it underwent a “rigorous vetting course of” within the diaper deal.
The nonprofit added in an e mail Friday: “California Companions Challenge didn’t facilitate and has no connection to the partnership for Golden State Begin.
Baby2Baby’s different co-CEO, Kelly Sawyer Patricof, is married to producer, Jamie Patricof, whose father, Alan Patricof, is a longtime Democratic donor.
“It might seem it’s been deliberate all alongside to undergo this specific nonprofit. One has to suspect that,” mentioned Niello, who first heard of the diaper program after the Could 8 press occasion.
Critics have questioned why free diapers even for rich households are a finances precedence given the state faces the potential for deep structural deficits tied to unstable revenues and rising spending.
The governor mentioned he closed the state’s deficit by way of 2028 in his report $349.9 billion proposed finances, however Republican finances hawks have derided the plan as “fantasyland” based mostly on fuzzy math.
“To not point out, a coverage pursued throughout a really challenged finances within the first place, to offer free diapers to individuals whether or not they want it or not, doesn’t make sense,” Niello added.
