Golden State Today

Reports from CapRadio point to Gov. Gavin Newsom awarding projects or contracts to companies that did not undergo the required bidding process, though most have contributed to his election campaign and ballot measure committee.

A UnitedHealth subsidiary for example has been awarded a no-bid contract worth up to $177 million to expand COVID-19 testing. Months later, the state would award another $315 million in contracts to UnitedHealth subsidiaries through an expedited bidding process, CapRadio reported.

UnitedHealth has contributed over $58,000 in 2018, and $31,000in 2019 to his reelection campaign, and $100,000 to Newsom’s ballot measure committee.

“The Governor’s Administration made the decision to enter into all contracts related to the COVID-19 response based on the best interests of the state and protecting health and welfare of all our residents,” Erin Mellon, spokesperson for the governor, wrote in an email, according to CapRadio.

While there has been no evidence to indicate that there is a violation of the law, government ethics experts articulate that this can question his integrity.

“The governor and his team needed to make more of an effort to explain to the people of California why these decisions didn't violate the public trust, and why his donors were given these opportunities,” said Dan Schnur, a professor of political communications at University of California, Berkeley and University of Southern California.

A recall effort against Newsom has also surfaced.

“Gov. Newsom is showing that he’s not transparent,” Mike Netter, co-founder of the California Patriot Coalition, said.

Patriot Coalition is one of the groups leading the recall effort. He further said that “This is a really bad look to the people of California [who] expect honesty and transparency from their government.”