Newsom Spends $19M in Taxpayer Funds on PR Push As Criticism of California Grows

rs ^ | April 05, 2026 | Ben Smith

[chief lee runamok]

California will spend up to $19 million in taxpayer funds on a public relations campaign, with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration awarding the contract to Edelman through the state’s Office of Business and Economic Development.

The campaign will run from April 6 through the end of the year. It will promote California’s economy and tourism while countering what Newsom’s administration describes as “negative narratives” circulating online and in partisan media. The contract follows a request for proposals issued last month seeking a campaign to improve the state’s national image, including outreach tied to business development, tourism, workforce messaging, and potential investors. The state is directing bidders to address how California is portrayed in national media and online discussions.

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[chief lee runamok]

Another nineteen million dollars of taxpayer funds wasted by gruesome.

[John Milner]

“The contract follows a request for proposals issued last month seeking a campaign to improve the state’s national image”

The irony is, the cause of the negative image is the direct result of the Governor and legislature’s actions and policies.

So it’s a, “Here’s $19 Mil - Make our idiocy NOT the focus of the state.”

[cnsmom]

California is a one and done state. No reason to repeat visit everything is just older and trashier.

[antidemoncrat]

The brilliance of Gavin Nobrain encourages me to vote for him even if he doesn’t run for Prez. ... Bwahahahahahaha

[Churchillspirit]

"We're going to take things away from you, whether you like it or not."

Actual quote from when he was Lt. Gov.

Translation........Your money is for what I want not for what you need.

[sasquatch]

Newsom Spends $19M in Taxpayer Funds on PR Push As Criticism of California Grows

his own campaign.

[Donbue]

Add that to the 20 million he recently spent on a consultant who was to plan how to reduce expenses.
Ya just can’t make it up!

[ProtectOurFreedom]

LOL...hundreds of billions of business income and personal income fled the state. Pissing $19 million in the ocean won't change the situation.

Bring back California Raisins and Californian "Got Milk?" ad campaigns! That could work.

[aynrandfreak]

“You must like me, because your own taxpayer-funded ads say what a great job we’re doing for California!”

[drypowder]

Yeah, and the advertisement will be recorded and presented in every language except English.

[Ronaldus Magnus III]

Only $19 million?

C’mon, Man!

Nineteen million would not fund a weekend bender with Pelosi and Kamala!

[eyeamok]

Just one tour of Downtown Los Angeles from City Hall and 2 miles in any direction will tell you all you need to now.

[A_perfect_lady]

If he wanted good PR, he should have used those funds to rebuild where the fires burned down people’s homes.

[17th Miss Regt]

...to rebuild where the fires burned down people’s homes.

Can't do it. Those areas are the delicate, environmentally protected habitats of the California firebug!