Is Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to spend millions on a brief marketing campaign to improve California’s national image a good use of taxpayer money? Democratic state lawmakers who oversee California’s budget didn’t want to talk about it on Monday. Newsom’s Office of Business and Economic Development is prepared to spend up to $19 million on an ad campaign to promote how the state is “an economic powerhouse and unmatched tourism destination and world’s epicenter of innovation,” according to a state Request for Proposal (RFP) posted last month. According to the 19-page document, the campaign is meant to fight “negative narratives amplified online and in partisan media.”The contract is expected to be awarded to a business or businesses by March 31 with a contract that would run from April 6 to December 31 of this year. State certified small businesses will be considered first for the job, according to the RFP. Newsom’s Office of Business and Economic Development is working with a total budget this year of $373 million and the money would come out of that, a spokesman for Newsom’s Department of Finance confirmed Monday. California has been grappling with budget shortfalls in the billions over the last several years with more significant money problems expected in the years ahead. The leaders of the California Legislature’s budget committees were hesitant to talk Monday. Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, leads the Assembly’s Budget Committee. He told KCRA 3 he had not yet read the RFP and could not comment as of Monday afternoon as he was walking into the Assembly’s floor session. Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, D- Los Angeles, leads the Assembly’s smaller budget subcommittee that focuses on the governor’s office spending. When KCRA 3 approached her in the hallway outside of the Assembly’s chamber she said she would not comment but would discuss the funds at a hearing next week. State Sen. John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, leads the State Senate’s Budget Committee. He told KCRA 3 he was not ready to comment and wanted to look into it more when approached on the stairwell leading up to the Senate chambers.State Sen. Melissa Hurtado, D-Bakersfield, leads the Senate’s smaller budget subcommittee that oversees the governor’s office spending. She was absent Monday but in a text message said she had no comment.Republicans said the governor is trying to promote himself. “This is irresponsible, it looks like corruption and it looks like he’s cutting a deal right now before he kicks off his next campaign to be the president of the united states and it’s wrong,” said Assemblyman David Tangipa, R-Fresno, who is the vice chairman of the Assembly’s budget committee. “This is unquestionably promoting Gavin Newsom, this is unquestionably part of his presidential campaign, but what concerns me more is it’s seeking to regulate speech,” said State Sen. Roger Niello, R-Roseville, who is the vice chairman of the Senate’s budget committee. “California and its business climate have been falsely and maliciously maligned for years, and the state has a right to tell the true story— California is a great place to do live, work, invest and visit,” said Tara Gallegos, a spokesperson for Gov. Newsom in a prepared statement.”We lead the country in Fortune 500 companies and new business starts. We draw more visitors than any other state. And we lead the world in innovation and imagination. Setting the record straight will benefit every business, worker, and resident of this state,” she said. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Is Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to spend millions on a brief marketing campaign to improve California’s national image a good use of taxpayer money?

Democratic state lawmakers who oversee California’s budget didn’t want to talk about it on Monday.

Newsom’s Office of Business and Economic Development is prepared to spend up to $19 million on an ad campaign to promote how the state is “an economic powerhouse and unmatched tourism destination and world’s epicenter of innovation,” according to a state Request for Proposal (RFP) posted last month.

According to the 19-page document, the campaign is meant to fight “negative narratives amplified online and in partisan media.”

The contract is expected to be awarded to a business or businesses by March 31 with a contract that would run from April 6 to December 31 of this year. State certified small businesses will be considered first for the job, according to the RFP.

Newsom’s Office of Business and Economic Development is working with a total budget this year of $373 million and the money would come out of that, a spokesman for Newsom’s Department of Finance confirmed Monday.

California has been grappling with budget shortfalls in the billions over the last several years with more significant money problems expected in the years ahead. The leaders of the California Legislature’s budget committees were hesitant to talk Monday.

Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, leads the Assembly’s Budget Committee. He told KCRA 3 he had not yet read the RFP and could not comment as of Monday afternoon as he was walking into the Assembly’s floor session.

Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, D- Los Angeles, leads the Assembly’s smaller budget subcommittee that focuses on the governor’s office spending. When KCRA 3 approached her in the hallway outside of the Assembly’s chamber she said she would not comment but would discuss the funds at a hearing next week.

State Sen. John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, leads the State Senate’s Budget Committee. He told KCRA 3 he was not ready to comment and wanted to look into it more when approached on the stairwell leading up to the Senate chambers.

State Sen. Melissa Hurtado, D-Bakersfield, leads the Senate’s smaller budget subcommittee that oversees the governor’s office spending. She was absent Monday but in a text message said she had no comment.

Republicans said the governor is trying to promote himself.

“This is irresponsible, it looks like corruption and it looks like he’s cutting a deal right now before he kicks off his next campaign to be the president of the united states and it’s wrong,” said Assemblyman David Tangipa, R-Fresno, who is the vice chairman of the Assembly’s budget committee.

“This is unquestionably promoting Gavin Newsom, this is unquestionably part of his presidential campaign, but what concerns me more is it’s seeking to regulate speech,” said State Sen. Roger Niello, R-Roseville, who is the vice chairman of the Senate’s budget committee.

“California and its business climate have been falsely and maliciously maligned for years, and the state has a right to tell the true story— California is a great place to do live, work, invest and visit,” said Tara Gallegos, a spokesperson for Gov. Newsom in a prepared statement.

“We lead the country in Fortune 500 companies and new business starts. We draw more visitors than any other state. And we lead the world in innovation and imagination. Setting the record straight will benefit every business, worker, and resident of this state,” she said.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel