California, Alabama Governors Spar Over How to Spend Federal Aid

California Governor Gavin Newsom blasted Alabama for spending pandemic-relief aid building prisons, the latest round in his very public campaign criticizing GOP governors in other states.

In a video shared on Twitter, Newsom said Alabama -- led by Republican Governor Kay Ivey -- chose to invest in “prisons and punishment” with federal aid while California spent some of its money on education. Alabama officials approved the use of about $400 million of its pandemic relief aid to finance the construction of two men’s prisons, which activists have criticized.

Newsom, who is considered a potential Democratic presidential candidate in 2024, ...