California Governor Gavin Newsom is under scrutiny for reportedly pushing for a special exemption benefiting his personal friend, billionaire Panera franchisee Greg Flynn, amidst allegations of favoritism and special treatment for certain businesses, likened to an 'AB5–but with a bread clause.' Critics argue that such exemptions, which they claim make Newsom's policies appear 'dirty,' undermine the integrity of state policies, suggesting that connections in political circles can influence business success or failure in California. Republican Assemblyman Joe Patterson has called for an outside investigation into Newsom's ties to Flynn, suggesting FBI involvement, amid concerns from Republican state lawmakers about the Dem super majority's ability to investigate itself. Meanwhile, Assemblyman Chris Holden, author of California's fast food worker law, denied negotiating the final stages of the law when the Panera/bakery exemption was added, despite being the original author. Newsom's office has responded to the allegations, labeling the story as 'absurd' and stating that the governor never met with Flynn regarding the bill and asserting that Panera is not exempt from the law.
Gavin Newsom says fast food carveout doesn’t apply to Panera Bread. His spokesman calls Bloomberg’s story “absurd” https://t.co/MaXanHEmUH https://t.co/4tZkYFI7CA
NEW: Gov. Newsom’s office on questions raised about how his ties to billionaire Panera franchisee influenced a carveout in state law: “The Governor never met with Flynn about this bill & this story is absurd. Our legal team has reviewed and it appears Panera is not exempt”
Panera—or any business—shouldn't survive or fail in California because of its connections in the halls of power. https://t.co/7efkMib1u4
Republican Assemblyman Joe Patterson is calling for outside investigation into Gov. Newsom’s ties to billionaire Panera franchisee, even going as far to say the FBI should be involved. Republican state lawmakers have no confidence in Dem super majority investigating itself https://t.co/yj82LoIb47
NEW: Assemblyman Chris Holden, author of California’s fast food worker law, says he did NOT negotiate it in its final stages in 2022, when Panera/bakery exemption was added. He tried to say he inherited the language. But he was the author when carve out was added. Watch: https://t.co/GdvKwkRWMS
JUST IN: Gov. Newsom's office responds to reports of Panera exemption linked to billionaire franchisee Greg Flynn. Flynn to KCRA 3 in '22: "We’re barely hanging on. And when I think about the creation of a state council.. I don’t know if we can make it.” https://t.co/WzwuU4WVog
A bad look for Newsom, he has to be better than this (but can you really be favor-less when it's not your own money powering your presidential ambitions?) https://t.co/O5Ht1xLLkx
I guarantee Newsom's dirty. Look at all the special treatment he's given Musk. https://t.co/Ldw8LWjcRZ
Restaurant owners should not need to be friends with politicians to be able to run their business as they please. But that's how things seem to work now in California. New from me @NRO https://t.co/rpfAh1BFaP
California Gov. Gavin Newsom reportedly pushed for a special exemption that benefits his personal friend while throwing other businesses (and consumers) under the bus. https://t.co/7efkMibzjC
Ah, dishing out exemptions like AB5–but with a bread clause. Policies SO good, they need exemptions. California in a nutshell. Newsom’s friends don’t have to suffer the consequences of his policies if they ask nicely, but the rest of the Golden State must comply. https://t.co/Wg6kS5vgdV