Newsom leaned on Dodgers, a donor-run foundation for a booming state speech

OAKLAND – Gov. Gavin Newsom relied on $ 80,000 from a donor-linked foundation, as well as free use of Dodger Stadium, to deliver a stellar state-of-the-state speech this week that offered a defense against an increasing recall effort.

The Democratic governor strayed from convention by delivering his annual speech not to elected officials on the State Capitol, but in an empty Dodger Stadium under the lights. A Newsom representative said the Dodgers provided the venue – an in-kind contribution whose value has not yet been specified – and production costs are being covered by the California State Protocol Foundation.

The California State Protocol Foundation has previously funded various official duties for California governors that go beyond what taxpayers might consider reasonable public spending. He covered overseas travel for Newsom and former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, for example.

“The Protocol Foundation has long paid for official state functions and ceremonies, such as receiving dignitaries, the annual tree lighting ceremony, and signing bills,” Newsom spokesperson Erin said. Mellon, in an email.

Newsom’s inaugural fund has contributed $ 3.1 million to the foundation since 2019. The inaugural fund itself was originally based on large contributions from interest groups. Major donors gave $ 200,000 each, including the California Teachers Association, the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria and former San Diego Padres owner Jennifer Moores.

Blue Shield of California, which Newsom’s public health department recently commissioned to oversee the vaccine rollout in California, has donated $ 100,000. The same was true for the main unions and other tribes.

Newsom’s State of State Speech read to many as a political speech rather than a political vision, with high production values ​​that included video footage illustrating its talking points. It was widely seen as the de facto launch of Newsom’s effort to push back a recall campaign. The governor defended his record on the coronavirus pandemic and projected better times ahead, providing insight into likely campaign themes.

Confirming this interpretation, the governor on Friday tweeted a carefully produced video featuring his speech. “We know this year has not been easy. But the hope is there,” Newsom wrote.