Newsom asks Special Session for $2.5 billion for wildfire prevention and cleanup efforts

As a result of the massive damage from the wildfires in the Los Angeles basin, Gov. Gavin Newsom modified his directive to the Special Session of the Legislature which he initially called in November.

He is now also asking the Legislature to appropriate $2.5 billion to help fund the recovery efforts in Los Angeles area as well as future responses to wildfires.

“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 the thousands who’ve lost their homes and livelihoods in these firestorms,” Newsom said in his press release announcing the broadened Special Session.

On Jan. 8, former President Joe Biden declared that these wildfires had created a major disaster and ordered Federal aid. These funds can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. The Biden’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Los Angeles County.

With expectation of Federal assistance coming, Newsom requested $1 billion to support and to expand the State’s capability to ensure debris removal and for further emergency response actions. He also expects this money to be reimbursed after the Federal Emergency Management Agency begins distributing the funds authorized by Biden’s disaster declaration.

Another $1.5 billion would be used to accelerate preparedness against the threats of firestorms, windstorms, and other natural disasters.

The third purpose of these funds will be to provide technical assistance to local school districts that will need to rebuild or repair schools that were destroyed or damaged by the fires.

“I’ve seen the devastation firsthand in Altadena, Malibu and the Palisades,” said Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) following the Governor’s proclamation. “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.”

In contrast with the normal opposition to Newsom’s actions, all 28 Republican legislators signed a letter to Newsom recommending or requesting this additional purpose be added to agenda of the current Special Session.

Their letter began, “We are writing to urgently call for a special legislative session to address the escalating wildfire crisis and its destabilizing impact on the insurance market.”

And they offered several specific recommendations: Fast-track critical projects such as controlled burns and post-fire reconstruction to mitigate fire risks efficiently; streamline environmental reviews for fire safety efforts; create enhanced criminal penalties for both arson and negligent fires; use a combination of tax credits, deductions, grants, and loans to help Californians afford the home-hardening upgrades necessary to protect their property; increase funding for wildfire prevention; and provide a clear evaluation of the California FAIR Plan and the broader insurance industry, outlining necessary steps to stabilize the market and attract private insurers back into the state.

Senate pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D North Coast) said, “California is moving heaven and earth to ensure an expedited and successful recovery and rebuild for all Angelenos. 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.”

Newsom originally called the Special Session to prepare against possible new disputes with the Federal government. He asked the Legislature to approve additional funding for the State’s Department of Justice and other agencies that will allow them to “. . . immediately file affirmative litigation challenging actions taken by the incoming Trump administration.”

The funding will also help to defend the State’s policies from anticipated litigation or enforcement actions filed against the State.

Earlier on Jan. 13, Senate Budget Chair Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) announced an agreement between the Senate and Assembly, to provide an additional $25 million in state funding for these purposes for a total of $50 million.

An initial $25 million to the Attorney General’s office for litigation efforts against the federal government and for actions threatened to be taken by the federal government, including defending adverse action against our laws related to climate change, clean water, reproductive healthcare and the rights of our vulnerable communities – immigrants, LGBTQ+, Asian Pacific Islander and Black residents.

The additional $25 million has three targets. Ten million dollars will be directed to the Equal Access Fund to defend the civil rights of Californians, including providing legal services to vulnerable persons at risk of discrimination, detention, eviction, wage theft, deportation, intimate partner violence, and other actions that put their safety at risk.

Another $10 million will be for One California through the Department of Social Services. This money will flow into the existing infrastructure of how California primarily funds legal service providers and outreach efforts that primarily support immigrant communities and immigration services.

And the remaining $5 million will go to the California Access to Justice Commission. This money is intended to support organizations that are not primarily receiving funding through Equal Access Fund or One California, which continues the Access to Justice Commission’s focus of providing legal services that support marginalized communities against discrimination, including rural or underserved immigrant communities.

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