Publication: San Francisco Chronicle
California lawmakers of both political parties have a message for Gov. Gavin Newsom on the state’s coronavirus response: Start sharing full details about what you’re spending.
Tensions between Newsom’s administration and lawmakers hung over a hearing at the Capitol in Sacramento on Monday, as Assembly members questioned why they haven’t received more information or been consulted on how the state is spending money to fight the virus.
The hearing was the Assembly Budget Committee’s first oversight review of how California agencies are spending an estimated $7 billion in emergency expenses due to the pandemic. Assemblyman Phil Ting, the San Francisco Democrat who chairs the committee, started the hearing by praising Newsom’s response to the crisis. Then, he quickly pivoted to a common complaint.
“Information hasn’t always been readily flowing between the administration, the Legislature,” Ting said. He added that lawmakers want information about how the state distributes masks and other personal protective equipment, as well as where it has leased hotel and motel rooms to house homeless people.
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