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| Home Front: Politix |
| Newsom's secretive $1-billion mask deal with Chinese automaker sparks bipartisan concerns |
| 2020-04-27 |
| [LA Times] SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to spend almost $1 billion in taxpayer funds to buy protective masks drew national attention as an aggressive move by California to solve one of the most nagging problems of the coronavirus crisis. But almost two weeks after he announced the deal during a cable TV interview, very few details have been disclosed. The governor’s advisors have so far declined requests for information about the agreement with BYD, the Chinese electric car manufacturer hired to produce the masks, though the state has already wired the company the first installment of $495 million. Newsom, who has been praised for his efforts to slow the spread of the disease, bristled on Saturday at suggestions that his administration has been too slow to explain a deal that will cost California taxpayers 30% more than his January budget would spend on infectious disease prevention for an entire fiscal year. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
| #7 I'm making a mask tomorrow out of half a Big Mac box. I'm going to write "Grow Up" on the world facing surface. |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2020-04-27 14:55 |
| #6 He'll have to put me in jail before I wear one of those masks. |
| Posted by: Abu Uluque 2020-04-27 14:40 |
| #5 You know damn well that people associated with BYD will contribute generously to the governor's next election campaign. He probably go a suitcase full of cash under the table right after he signed the contract. |
| Posted by: Abu Uluque 2020-04-27 14:39 |
| #4 Wait til the requirement for everyone in Cali to buy Chinese made masks from the Cali gummint. Watch the fun. |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2020-04-27 12:24 |
| #3 Yes - he buys from China, then afterwards will claim he had to because Orange Man Bad |
| Posted by: Rex Mundi 2020-04-27 12:11 |
| #2 Secretive, huh? Hmmmm. |
| Posted by: Clem 2020-04-27 05:32 |
| #1 He has to buy masks from China? |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2020-04-27 03:05 |