California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) has hired a photographer at taxpayers’ expense, according to a report from Politico.
Charles Ommanney, the photographer, will receive a $200,000 salary. Many believe his hiring is linked to Newsom’s desire to improve his national image in preparation for future political ambitions.
Ommanney, reportedly hired in January, has worked for Mark Zuckerberg and Barack Obama.
Izzy Gardon, a Newsom spokesperson, told Politico that the photographer “plays an instrumental role in communicating the work of state government across visual platforms — including social media, helping us meet Californians where they are at.”
Gardon told Newsmax that the “real story here is that Gov. Newsom did not have a dedicated photographer for over five years.”
The photographer was involved in Newsom’s recent photo-op showing him clearing homeless encampments.
Ommanney’s hiring comes as California already has a $73 billion budget deficit, according to a report from the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO).
“Roughly, a $24 billion erosion in revenues corresponds to a $15 billion increase in the budget problem,” the report says. “This would expand the $58 billion estimated deficit to $73 billion under our updated revenue forecast.”
