Newsom asked, and donors gave $347 million. What did they get in return?

Since taking office in 2019, Newsom has reported more than $340 million in behested payments. A review by The Center Square has found that the largest donors of behested payments are rarely passive philanthropists with no government interests. FPPC records show state officials funneled $45.1 million into the organization through behested payments. Rather than restricting behested payments in those cases, the law relies on disclosure to inform the public. Mia Bonta went on to become a member of the California State Assembly.