Newsom’s Travel Expenses: Not Always Covered by Taxpayers
California Governor Gavin Newsom has been actively engaging in international diplomacy to showcase California’s climate leadership. Recently, he participated at the Munich Security Conference, following trips to Brazil and Switzerland.
Funding of Newsom’s Travels
Newsom’s international travel expenses are often funded by the California State Protocol Foundation, a nonprofit established during former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s administration in 2004. This organization relies on corporate donations to cover costs related to official travel.
According to Jason Elliott, a former advisor to Newsom, the foundation aims to relieve taxpayers from funding the governor’s expenditures. Critics argue that this arrangement provides corporate entities with increased access to political figures.
Travel Details
In 2024 alone, the foundation reported total revenue of $1.3 million. After expenses, it had a minimal balance of less than $8,000. Key aspects of Newsom’s travel covered by the foundation include:
- International trips for climate-related events.
- Domestic travels, such as Climate Week in New York.
- Expenses for staff accompanying the governor.
Notably, Newsom’s travel to Italy cost over $13,000 and attended the inauguration of Mexico’s first female president for nearly $4,000. Records show that the foundation has funded over $72,000 in expenses since Newsom took office in 2019.
Donor Influence
Several major corporations and organizations contribute to the foundation. Notable donors include:
- Resources Legacy Fund – $100,000
- U.S. Energy Foundation – $150,000
- William and Flora Hewlett Foundation – $300,000
- UC Berkeley – $220,000
Additionally, significant funds have been transferred from inaugural charities set up for Newsom, which totaled over $5 million since 2019.
Historical Context
This practice of using nonprofits for covering travel expenses dates back to the 1980s. The foundation, as per its federal tax filings, is focused on alleviating the financial obligations of the governor’s office. Past administrations faced scrutiny over transparency, with previous governors using similar foundations that obscured travel costs.
In contrast to past governors, Newsom’s office maintains that he primarily uses commercial travel rather than private jets. However, the calls for transparency concerning travel finances remain a topic of interest among critics and advocacy groups.
