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Donations 'Requested' by Newsom Exploded as His Emergency Powers Ballooned
Reason ^ | Feburuary 18, 2021 | Jacob Mcleod

Posted on 02/18/2021 3:38:15 PM PST by karpov

In 2020, California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office reported that individuals or organizations made $226 million in private donations to organizations at Newsom's request. These "behested payments" were a record-setting haul eclipsing all prior donations on record by nearly $100 million. While most donations supported COVID-19 relief efforts, a closer look suggests Newsom's fundraising was supercharged not just by the pandemic, but also by the broad emergency powers the Democratic governor has assumed because of it.

Behested payments are a unique feature of California politics. State law defines a behested payment as a donation to a government program or charity made "at the request, suggestion, or solicitation of, or made in cooperation, consultation, coordination or concert" with a public official. While payments of $5,000 or more are disclosed to the public, they remain an overlooked portion of politicians' finances, even though contributions often come from businesses with interests in the state government.

Last year, Newsom raised a combined $45 million from insurance giants Blue Shield of California and Kaiser Permanente for Project Homekey, his housing initiative. Newsom had selected Blue Shield CEO Paul Markovich to co-chair California's task force on COVID-19 testing. In January, the governor again tapped Blue Shield, with assistance from Kaiser Permanente, to manage vaccine distribution across the state. That decision has raised eyebrows as the governor's office has remained silent about the particulars of the deal, including why his administration selected Blue Shield and how much the company would be paid.

But Blue Shield and Kaiser Permanente aren't alone. Newsom has committed to spending nearly $4 billion on no-bid contracts to fight the pandemic. A number of companies who lined up for these contracts ended up donating, at Newsom's request, to his various relief efforts.

(Excerpt) Read more at reason.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; US: California
KEYWORDS: newsom

1 posted on 02/18/2021 3:38:15 PM PST by karpov
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To: karpov

Gavin “Shakedown” Newsom just be pimpin’ and gettin’ his walk-around money.


2 posted on 02/18/2021 3:42:16 PM PST by wildcard_redneck ( COVID lockdowns are the Establishment's attack on the middle class and our Republic)
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To: wildcard_redneck

Calling FBI


3 posted on 02/18/2021 3:46:17 PM PST by Striperman (Striperman)
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To: Striperman

WHY?


4 posted on 02/18/2021 3:53:30 PM PST by Roccus (Prima di ogni altra cosa, siate armati!)
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To: Roccus

Whoops meant to add/sarc!


5 posted on 02/18/2021 4:01:06 PM PST by Striperman (Striperman)
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To: ferret_airlift

This didn’t take long did it re Governor Gruesome make a killing financially and taking care of his donors.

Donations ‘Requested’ by Newsom Exploded as His Emergency Powers Ballooned
Reason ^ | Feburuary 18, 2021 | Jacob Mcleod
Posted on 2/18/2021, 3:38:15 PM by karpov

In 2020, California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office reported that individuals or organizations made $226 million in private donations to organizations at Newsom’s request. These “behested payments” were a record-setting haul eclipsing all prior donations on record by nearly $100 million.

While most donations supported COVID-19 relief efforts, a closer look suggests Newsom’s fundraising was supercharged not just by the pandemic, but also by the broad emergency powers the Democratic governor has assumed because of it.

Behested payments are a unique feature of California politics. State law defines a behested payment as a donation to a government program or charity made “at the request, suggestion, or solicitation of, or made in cooperation, consultation, coordination or concert” with a public official.

While payments of $5,000 or more are disclosed to the public, they remain an overlooked portion of politicians’ finances, even though contributions often come from businesses with interests in the state government.


6 posted on 02/18/2021 4:01:09 PM PST by Grampa Dave (History, as we know it, is written by the winners not the losers! Who will be writing our history??)
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To: karpov
Leave it to Kommifornia to legalize shakedowns. Wonder how much Kamala has raked in using behest payments?
7 posted on 02/18/2021 4:04:13 PM PST by liberalh8ter (The only difference between flash mob 'urban yutes' and U.S. politicians is the hoodies.)
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To: liberalh8ter

Kamala was on the China bribe list (though the “Big Guy” had to get his cut first).

Any differences between organized crime and politics have disappeared these days.


8 posted on 02/18/2021 4:48:05 PM PST by cgbg (A kleptocracy--if they can keep it. Think of it as the Cantillon Effect in action.)
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To: Striperman

Too busy Jonesin’ on the Spring run, eh?


9 posted on 02/18/2021 7:14:20 PM PST by Roccus (Prima di ogni altra cosa, siate armati!)
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To: Roccus

Stripers tricklin in


10 posted on 02/18/2021 10:03:49 PM PST by Striperman (Striperman)
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To: Striperman

Ain’t even seen a striper since I left Fun City 19 years ago. But out of ALL the fishing I’ve done up there, I guess I miss togs the most. Old buddy of mine tells me they’ve got a new way they fish for them. Light gear and small jigs tipped with crab. I was in the old school of stout rods and tons of lead.lol


11 posted on 02/18/2021 10:15:59 PM PST by Roccus (Prima di ogni altra cosa, siate armati!)
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To: karpov

Where is the money supposedly spent on masks from China which never were received????


12 posted on 02/19/2021 9:27:00 AM PST by ridesthemiles ( )
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To: Roccus

I fish the San Joaquin Delta, feast or famine.


13 posted on 02/19/2021 3:30:36 PM PST by Striperman (Striperman)
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To: Striperman

Oh, you fish the transplants. I didn’t realize you were on the left coast.
I guess that’s the result of some of the brood stock we gave you folks a while back. (lol)


14 posted on 02/19/2021 6:56:14 PM PST by Roccus (Prima di ogni altra cosa, siate armati!)
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