SACRAMENTO — California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday expanded the special legislative session he called to defend the state’s progressive policies against the new Trump administration. He announced that lawmakers would also prioritize addressing the state’s wildfire crisis.
Newsom is calling on lawmakers to accelerate $1 billion in emergency relief funding the historic fires in the Los Angeles areanew money to help more quickly rebuild and repair schools affected by these fires, and another $1.5 billion to fortify the state against future wildfire threats. It was not immediately clear how quickly these proposals would be considered by the Legislature.
“California is organizing a Marshall Plan to help Los Angeles rebuild faster and stronger – including billions in new and accelerated state funding so we can take faster action for the thousands who have lost their homes and livelihoods in these firestorms,” said Newsom in a statement Monday. To the people of Los Angeles: We stand with you.”
Just a week after the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, Newsom’s announcement came hours after California Democrats agreed to a $50 million deal strengthen the state’s legal defense against the new government and help prevent possible mass deportations.
The deal has been criticized by some Republicans who say the state’s priority should be focused squarely on the ongoing firefighting efforts in Southern California.
“The discrepancy between what Californians need and what Democrats are focused on is astonishing,” said Assemblyman James Gallagher of Yuba City.
But Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco said there is no need to choose between priorities during the special session.
“My GOP colleagues say we have to choose between helping LA recover from wildfires and protecting CA from Trump. But we can do both. Indeed, we must do both, as Trump and co. threatening federal assistant for LA and threatens to deport a large portion of our construction workforce,” Wiener said in a social media post.
Before Newsom announced the sweeping legislative agenda, Republicans condemned the special session that the governor said he called to “protect California’s values” amid Trump’s return to office, calling it a “waste of money and time.” .
Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-San Diego) said in a statement after Newsom’s announcement Monday that “conflating this relief aid with a politically motivated special session to indict Trump is unnecessary and, frankly , insulting to those struggling through this disaster.”
Newsom and other California government leaders have faced criticism over the response to the Palisades and Eaton fires that have devastated the Los Angeles area.
During a visit to the fire zone last week, cameras were rolling as Newsom had a tense confrontation with a mother who said her daughter’s school had burned down.
Trump blamed Newsom for the fires, saying in a message to Truth Social that “Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water recovery declaration presented to him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water to flow from excess rain and snow coming from the north melt. , to flow daily into many parts of California.”
Newsom’s press office quickly responded by refuting that statementthat was among several fact checked by CBS News Confirmed. In an effort to combat false rumors and disinformation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has reactivated its online rumor response site while California launched its own fire facts site.
In response to criticism of the wildfire response, Newsom has emphasized how quickly he a major disaster declaration from President Biden. Other California Democrats have praised Newsom’s actions to speed wildfire recovery efforts.
