Republicans write to Gavin Newsom + Bill would block certain no-bid contracts
Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!
REPUBLICANS WRITE TO GAVIN NEWSOM
On the occasion of the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s release of its draft 2022 business plan, Assembly Republicans have written a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom critical of the project.
“Candidly, there are more important priorities in the state than the high-speed rail. We have an exploding homelessness crisis, uptick in crimes, drought and water storage shortage, housing affordability emergency, supply chain challenges, tax burden on individuals and small businesses, and the list is endless,” the letter reads in part.
Newsom’s 2022-23 budget calls for the appropriation of $4.2 billion for the project. Assembly Republicans in their letter wrote that they cannot support that funding for a host of reasons, arguing that no budget for the project was provided in the report, that the proposal is not affordable, that the project is less than meets the eye, that there is no schedule provided, and that there has been a lack of transparency and accountability around the project.
“In your first State of the State address more than three years ago, you addressed high-speed rail, declaring that ‘there’s been too little oversight and not enough transparency,’ and you promised that ‘we’re going to hold contractors and consultants accountable to explain how taxpayer dollars are spent.’ We believe that this situation has not improved,” the letter reads.
The Republican Assembly members voice their disappointment that the house will not be holding an in-depth hearing on the high-speed rail project’s business plan, but write that they welcome the opportunity to work with Newsom to address their concerns.
BILL PROHIBITS CERTAIN NO-BID CONTRACTS
State agencies would be barred from awarding no-bid contracts to companies that made charitable donations on behalf of the governor under a bill introduced by Senate Republican Leader Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita.
SB 1367 would prevent such contracts from being handed out to companies who made a charitable donation on behalf of the governor within the preceding 12 months.
“I am deeply concerned about the increasing use of massive no-bid contracts. I believe a transparent and accountable government is a good government and have introduced legislation earlier this month to require oversight hearings for their renewal and protections for whistleblowers employed under those contracts,” Wilk said in a statement. “SB 1367 is an additional step to preserve public trust in our procurement process by ensuring no-bid contracts are awarded on merit and not political connections.”
SB 1367 is part of a package of bills aimed at addressing the use of no-bid contracts in California, according to Wilk’s office.
“We need to have confidence in our government,” Wilk said. “There should be no appearance of impropriety at all.”
The bill has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee for referral to the appropriate Senate policy committee for review this spring.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Trans kids and their families should be celebrated – not targeted by the state! They are heroes. This order is a direct assault on their wellbeing. To fearful families in Texas right now – California’s door is always open to you.”
– Gov. Gavin Newsom, discussing Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s order targeting transgender children and their parents via Twitter.
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This story was originally published February 24, 2022 at 4:55 AM.