Newsom calls textbooks “racket,” proposes money to create free ones Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to spend $15 million to develop more degree programs that include free textbooks, taking aim at the “usurious costs” of commercial textbooks Author: MIKHAIL ZINSHTEYN (CALMATTERS) Updated: 12:20 PM PST January 14, 2021 The price of college textbooks is often top of mind for college students, for understandable reasons, but also the governor, apparently. Gov. Gavin Newsom called textbooks a “racket” during his press conference unveiling his budget proposal last week, saying he was “committed” to addressing the “usurious costs associated with textbooks.” “And so we’re going to do more this year… on open source textbooks,” he said. The typical full-time college student in California spends $800 on textbooks and related materials annually.