California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new plan to provide free diapers to newborns is already drawing sharp criticism, with opponents calling the program another example of wasteful government spending disguised as public assistance.
Newsom unveiled the “Golden State Start” initiative Friday alongside nonprofit Baby2Baby, announcing that families delivering babies at participating California hospitals would receive 400 diapers at no cost. The governor framed the effort as part of a broader affordability agenda aimed at easing the financial burden on new parents in one of the country’s most expensive states.
But critics immediately zeroed in on the cost.
The program is backed by $7.4 million in taxpayer funding from California’s 2025-2026 budget, with an additional $12.5 million expected to be requested next year. Opponents argue the math simply does not add up.
Peter Basios, founder of an organic baby formula company, blasted the initiative on social media, calling it “peak government stupidity” and “grifting nonsense.” He argued that the state could help struggling families far more efficiently by simply giving parents cash directly instead of routing money through nonprofits and administrative systems.
Basios broke down the numbers in a post on X, estimating that 100,000 babies receiving 400 diapers each would total 40 million diapers. Based on the projected spending, he claimed the state would effectively pay around 50 cents per diaper.
He contrasted that figure with retail prices available at warehouse stores like Costco, where bulk diaper purchases can cost roughly 12 to 15 cents per diaper.
“That’s $48 to $60 for 400 diapers,” Basios wrote. “So the state is paying 8–10x more per diaper than a regular family buying in bulk.”
His criticism tapped into a broader argument conservatives have increasingly made against large state-run assistance programs: that bureaucracy and nonprofit partnerships often inflate costs well beyond what direct aid would require.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton echoed those complaints, accusing Newsom of funneling taxpayer money through politically connected organizations instead of helping families directly.
“Why is it three times more expensive for Gavin Newsom to send diapers to 100,000 babies than just leaving the money in the bank accounts of the parents in the first place?” Hilton said in a post on X. “Because it’s going to some total bullshit nonprofit which the cronies of his are going to make money.”
Critics have also pointed to the relationship between Baby2Baby leadership and organizations tied to Newsom’s inner political circle. Some opponents argue those connections raise questions about favoritism and whether taxpayer money is being directed toward politically aligned nonprofits.
Supporters of the initiative, however, say diapers are a major expense for low-income families and that universal distribution removes barriers for parents who may not qualify for traditional aid programs. Newsom’s office says the state can reduce costs through bulk purchasing while ensuring families receive reliable products immediately after birth.
The governor has promoted the effort as a “first-in-the-nation” program that addresses affordability at a time when many California families are struggling with rising housing, childcare, and grocery costs.
Newsom’s office has not publicly responded to the criticism surrounding the diaper pricing calculations or accusations of government waste.
