Assemblyman Tangipa Demands Answers on $19 Million Newsom PR Contract

Letter Seeks Full Transparency on Taxpayer-Funded “California Brand Campaign”.

SACRAMENTO —  Assemblyman David Tangipa (R-Fresno), Vice Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, is demanding answers from Governor Gavin Newsom over a $19 million taxpayer-funded public relations contract to rebrand California.

In a letter sent Wednesday, Tangipa requested full disclosure of the contract between the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and global PR firm Edelman, along with all competing bids and scoring documents used in the selection process.

“Maybe if Newsom actually delivered on his promises to build housing, fix homelessness, and lower costs, California wouldn’t have the reputation it has today,” Tangipa said. “Instead, he’s spending millions in taxpayer dollars on a PR campaign to cover up his failures.”

The proposed “California Brand Campaign” would include:

• $14 million to advertising and media placement
• $5 million to agency fees, production, and travel

Tangipa raised concerns that the Legislature did not approve this spending as part of last year’s budget process and questioned why the administration is prioritizing public relations over core state needs.

“After blowing $37 million on a communications office, the administration is spending another $19 million to help rebuild his own reputation,” Tangipa added. “Meanwhile, the Governor is running billion-dollar budget deficits. Zero transparency. Zero accountability. Zero oversight.”

Tangipa is requesting that the administration provide all documents by April 16 and send a representative from GO-Biz to testify before the Assembly Budget Committee.

“Californians are struggling with high costs and real challenges,” Tangipa said. “The focus should be on results, not a taxpayer-funded campaign to improve his image.”Click here to view the full letter.