California Governor Gavin Newsom is under fire for allegedly funneling $20 million of taxpayer funds to a nonprofit linked to an executive who also serves on the board of his wife’s gender equity organization.
The controversy centers around a diaper distribution initiative named “Golden State Start,” which was unveiled just before Mother’s Day. This initiative is a collaboration between the state and Baby2Baby, a nonprofit based in Los Angeles.
The program’s goal is to distribute free diapers to newborns across California hospitals. However, questions have emerged regarding the selection process of the nonprofit and its connections to Newsom’s political and personal circles.
Republican gubernatorial hopeful Steve Hilton criticized the cost, stating, “When you calculate the number of diapers set to be distributed against the financial outlay, it comes to about 50 cents per diaper. That’s significantly more than buying them wholesale at a place like Costco.”
Hilton also questioned the funding source, emphasizing, “This is coming from taxpayer money.”
The partnership was facilitated with assistance from the California Partners Project, co-founded by Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
Her non-profit works to increase women’s representation in leadership, and Norah Weinstein sits on the board.
Weinstein is also the co-CEO of Baby2Baby. She has run the organization since 2011 alongside co-CEO Kelly Sawyer Patricof.
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That detail is what critics point to as evidence of overlapping influence between state-funded programs and affiliated nonprofit networks.
“Instead of taking our money, putting into some scheme that benefits their friends and cronies,” Hilton said, “why don’t they let us just keep more of our money in the first place so we can decide how to spend our money?”
Patricof’s family ties have also drawn attention from critics, including her marriage to film producer Jamie Patricof, whose father, Alan Patricof, is a longtime Democratic donor with deep ties to the Clinton-era political network.
The state has committed roughly $20 million to the program, including $7.4 million already approved and another $12.5 million proposed in the 2026–2027 budget cycle, positioning it as a major expansion of statewide diaper access for newborns.
Backlash has been swift and highly critical, with many questioning both the structure and cost of the initiative.
Many questioned the program‘s scale, arguing that comparable bulk retail prices are significantly lower.
Another person pointed to Baby2Baby’s reported financial position and political relationships, alleging the organization operates more like a politically connected network than a traditional charity. Those claims were not independently verified.
The California Post reached out to Newsom’s office and Baby2Baby for comment.
Despite the criticism, Newsom has promoted “Golden State Start” as a flagship child welfare initiative, calling it “a first-in-the-nation program to provide free diapers to all new babies born in California.”
