In the land of tech millionaires and sky-high living costs, California’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond is doing what many of us do: hustling on the side. But this isn’t your typical DoorDash gig, Thurmond’s been moonlighting with nonprofits while pulling down a cool $200K salary.

The Side Gig Heard 'Round Sacramento

Picture this: Thurmond, a public official earning over $200,000 annually, still feels the need to pad his income by working part-time at organizations like the Berkeley Food Pantry. He’s earned between $33,506 and $331,000 from outside work, all while claiming he “has needs” beyond his government paycheck.

The Ethical Gray Zone

While technically legal, Thurmond’s side hustles raise eyebrows among government watchdogs. Sean McMorris from California Common Cause put it bluntly: “Isn’t being an elected official a full-time job?” The real tea? Thurmond’s been juggling nonprofit roles while simultaneously soliciting donations for these same organizations.

The Bay Area Hustle

Thurmond insists he’s just trying to make ends meet, supporting his children and family members with illnesses. “I have needs that are beyond what the salary is able to provide,” he says. In a region where a studio apartment can cost more than some people’s annual salary, his side gig strategy might actually be relatable.

At the end of the day, Thurmond represents a quintessential Bay Area story: working multiple jobs, navigating astronomical living expenses, and trying to make a difference, one nonprofit gig at a time.