Governor Gavin Newsom has broadened the scope of his legislative session to encompass immediate response and recovery funding for the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County. The governor's $2.5 billion proposal aims to support school rebuilding efforts, enhance wildfire preparedness, and continue emergency response operations. This shift in focus comes after Assembly Republicans, who have criticized Newsom's initial 'Trump-proofing' agenda, urged him to prioritize disaster relief.
Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday expanded the agenda for his legislative session, initially focused on 'Trump-proofing' California, to include response and recovery funding for the catastrophic wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County. The governor is proposing an additional $2.5 billion to 'jump-start' the recovery process, encompassing aid for schools to rebuild and increased wildfire preparedness. The funds will also be allocated to sustain emergency response efforts.
Approximately an hour before Newsom's announcement, Assembly Republicans urged him to prioritize disaster relief funding. The minority party has been critical of Newsom for months regarding the Trump-focused special session, where the governor sought legislative approval for at least $25 million to counter potential legal challenges from the then-President. Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher, R-Chico, characterized the anti-Trump special session as 'tone deaf.' Prior to Newsom's announcement, Gallagher, in a statement to ABC7 News, emphasized the state's need to address pressing concerns for its residents. He stated, 'This special session was ridiculous to begin with, but especially now with the wildfires that we're experiencing here in California. The impending insurance crisis that we could be, we already were facing, but probably even more detrimental at this point.' Gallagher expressed relief at Newsom's shift in focus, stating, 'I'm glad to see Governor Newsom agreeing that the state needs to prioritize relief for Californians impacted by these fires. I certainly hope he doesn't play politics with this money by tying it to his slush fund for government lawyers and left-wing groups to fight President Trump. This is a time for all of us to come together and take care of our fellow Californians who have lost everything.' Earlier Monday, Assembly lawmakers postponed the first budget committee hearing on the legal defense fund, originally scheduled. The chairman of that committee, Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, is directly affected by the wildfires, as his district is under evacuation orders. This development coincides with an ongoing dispute between Newsom and Trump regarding disaster relief. The incoming commander-in-chief has threatened to withhold federal aid from California. On Monday, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated agreement, telling reporters, 'there should probably be conditions' when asked about his stance on sending funding to the Golden State as it grapples with devastating wildfires. California is again facing one of the most destructive fires in our history,' Newsom wrote. 'We are thankful that President Biden has swiftly approved our major disaster declaration - a strong indication of the partnership California needs and appreciates with any federal administration. However, the threat to lives and property remains acute.
CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES GOV. NEWSOM LEGISLATIVE SESSION DISASTER RELIEF FEDERAL AID TRUMP-PROOFING ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS
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