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View Winners → Politics Jan 14, 2025
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In an effort to secure $2.5 billion in additional funding for ongoing emergency response efforts in the Los Angeles area, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday extended a special session of the California Legislature.
The governor expanded the scope of the current special session he convened in November in response to Donald Trump’s presidential election victory. The State Legislature will now consider whether to approve Newsom’s funding requests for firefighting and recovery efforts as wind-fueled wildfires scorch tens of thousands of acres in LA County.
The funding aims to support recovery, cleanup, wildfire preparedness and reopening schools closed because of the fires, according to the governor’s office.
“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 move faster to deliver for thousands who’ve lost their homes and livelihoods in these firestorms,” Newsom said in a statement. “To the people of Los Angeles: We have your back.”
The governor’s funding request includes adding $1 million to state emergency response funding, which he said would be eligible for reimbursement from the federal government.
Funding would also go toward rebuilding and repairing schools damaged or destroyed by the fires, and another $1.5 billion is intended to improve preparedness in the region against fires, windstorms and other natural disasters.
“California is moving heaven and earth to ensure an expedited and successful recovery and rebuild for all Angelenos,” said Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire, D-North Coast, said in a statement. “This early funding is a down payment that will kickstart the clean-up of neighborhoods and start the process of rebuilding lives. And, we’ll do all of this while investing in legal protections for some of our most vulnerable Californians. Time is of the essence, and we are moving with speed with Governor Newsom and Speaker Rivas to get folks the relief and resources they desperately need right now.”
Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas, D-Salinas, said in a statement, “I’ve seen the devastation firsthand in Altadena, Malibu and the Palisades. People have lost homes, livelihoods and a sense of security. They are scared and angry, and we must act fast to expedite resources for clean-up and recovery.”
Rivas noted that State Assembly members in the LA area “are listening to their residents and will bring feedback to the discussion as we consider the Governor’s proposal. We must ensure Angelenos and Southern Californians can restore their lives and communities as quickly as possible.”
Over the weekend, Newsom signed two executive orders to boost recovery, one to help with rebuilding efforts “by cutting red tape” and the other to expedite clearing debris and preparation for possible mudslides and flooding from future rainstorms in areas with scorched terrain.
