Gavin Newsom’s “free diapers” initiative is under fire yet won’t be subject to the usual scrutiny for state contractors. This is largely because he has discreetly exempted it from competitive bidding requirements, raising concerns about favoritism and potential waste.
The program, titled “Golden State Start,” has a $12.5 million budget and plans to distribute 400 free diapers to every California parent, no matter their income level, just in time for Mother’s Day.
Critics have pointed fingers at Newsom for selecting Baby2Baby, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit, to manage the initiative, particularly due to its ties to the governor’s spouse, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, who co-founded the California Partners Project that supports it.
Nora Weinstein, co-CEO of Baby2Baby, also serves on the board of the California Partners Project, which has received significant funding from her spouse. In correspondence to the California Assembly Budget Committee, Newsom’s office is not only requesting the aforementioned funds for next year but also seeks an exemption from competitive bids to supposedly safeguard taxpayer interests.
State Senator Roger Niello, who is vice chair of the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, expressed skepticism, stating that the entire concept is perplexing. “The whole thing kind of stinks,” he remarked.
In its request, Newsom’s Treasury Department asked to bypass standard rules that enforce multiple bidders, a practice meant to ensure transparency and competition. The department defended this move, claiming it did not eliminate competition because the state was already selecting a vendor.
They noted, “Diaper manufacturers, nonprofit organizations, diaper banks, and food banks were invited to participate, and their responses were evaluated based on the vendor’s ability to meet the program’s operational and distribution goals.”
Niello argued that using a nonprofit rather than having the state or hospitals directly purchase the diapers doesn’t seem to be the most cost-effective approach. “They’re going to completely involve intermediaries and nonprofits, and that’s going to come with administrative costs,” he commented.
Baby2Baby maintains it has gone through a “rigorous vetting process” for its transactions. However, critics, including Niello, are questioning the reasoning behind prioritizing free diapers for all families, including affluent ones, particularly at a time when the state’s budget is under strain.
While Newsom boasts a record-setting budget aimed at resolving the state’s spending deficits through 2028, there are voices on the right who dismiss this plan as mere fantasy. Niello concluded that the decision to provide free diapers to everyone—whether they need them or not—seems illogical given the tough budget constraints the state faces.
