As Kamala Harris uses California Highway Patrol officers as her security detail, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration will not release records or provide information on how much it’s costing taxpayers. As KCRA 3 first reported in February, dozens of CHP officers have been assigned to Kamala Harris and her international book tour. In response to a California Public Records Act request submitted by KCRA 3 earlier this month, the California Highway Patrol confirmed on Monday that it has records related to the situation, but will not release them, citing a section of state law that protects law enforcement and security-related records. Katelynn Cobb with CHP’s Public Records Section wrote, “… costs related to a protective detail would reveal sensitive security information.”On March 4, KCRA 3 submitted California Public Records Act requests to CHP and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office, specifically and solely seeking the costs associated with the state’s security arrangement for Harris and her book tour.”While we understand the law protects sensitive security information, we believe the California constitution protects the public’s right to know how much they’re paying for the activity,” the request read.In the request to the governor’s office, KCRA 3 specifically asked for documentation the office may have related to the arrangement, including communications with book publisher Simon & Schuster or Harris’ campaign between August of 2025 and March 4 of this year. The request also asked for any budget-related documents or communications that are publicly disclosable. The governor’s legal unit formally replied on March 16 and referred KCRA 3 to CHP.In the request to the CHP, KCRA 3 specifically requested receipts or evidence showing the total amount the state paid for travel, flights, hotels and expensed meals between August of 2025 and March of this year. CHP did not immediately respond to a follow-up email Monday to confirm the agency will not disclose the numbers for security reasons.Neither Harris’ campaign nor Simon & Schuster immediately responded to a request for comment on this story as of Monday afternoon. Harris’ book tour was originally scheduled to make several stops in California, including Sacramento, in April. Those appearances were canceled and scrubbed from the book’s website earlier this month. Her campaign did not say why, while Ticketmaster said it was because of a scheduling conflict. The book tour still has stops scheduled mid-April in the key presidential primary states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.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. —
As Kamala Harris uses California Highway Patrol officers as her security detail, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration will not release records or provide information on how much it’s costing taxpayers.
As KCRA 3 first reported in February, dozens of CHP officers have been assigned to Kamala Harris and her international book tour.
In response to a California Public Records Act request submitted by KCRA 3 earlier this month, the California Highway Patrol confirmed on Monday that it has records related to the situation, but will not release them, citing a section of state law that protects law enforcement and security-related records.
Katelynn Cobb with CHP’s Public Records Section wrote, “… costs related to a protective detail would reveal sensitive security information.”
On March 4, KCRA 3 submitted California Public Records Act requests to CHP and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office, specifically and solely seeking the costs associated with the state’s security arrangement for Harris and her book tour.
“While we understand the law protects sensitive security information, we believe the California constitution protects the public’s right to know how much they’re paying for the activity,” the request read.
In the request to the governor’s office, KCRA 3 specifically asked for documentation the office may have related to the arrangement, including communications with book publisher Simon & Schuster or Harris’ campaign between August of 2025 and March 4 of this year. The request also asked for any budget-related documents or communications that are publicly disclosable.
The governor’s legal unit formally replied on March 16 and referred KCRA 3 to CHP.
In the request to the CHP, KCRA 3 specifically requested receipts or evidence showing the total amount the state paid for travel, flights, hotels and expensed meals between August of 2025 and March of this year.
CHP did not immediately respond to a follow-up email Monday to confirm the agency will not disclose the numbers for security reasons.
Neither Harris’ campaign nor Simon & Schuster immediately responded to a request for comment on this story as of Monday afternoon.
Harris’ book tour was originally scheduled to make several stops in California, including Sacramento, in April. Those appearances were canceled and scrubbed from the book’s website earlier this month. Her campaign did not say why, while Ticketmaster said it was because of a scheduling conflict.
The book tour still has stops scheduled mid-April in the key presidential primary states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
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