Additional Coverage:
- Los Angeles wildfires: California Gov. Newsom slammed for ‘sideshow’ as he defends state’s response (foxnews.com)
California Wildfires: Lawmakers Demand Action
Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher has called for significant changes in wildfire combat and prevention. He criticized the state’s response to past catastrophic fires, such as the 2019 Paradise fire, highlighting the need for better management of dead and dying vegetation on federal lands.
Gallagher believes that state and local leadership has been deficient in addressing wildfires, citing issues with water supply and a lack of strong leadership. He drew a contrast with Florida’s response to hurricanes under Governor DeSantis.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s office defended the governor’s handling of the recent wildfires, stating that he has focused on protecting people and providing resources to firefighters. The office acknowledged a problem with water mobility during the initial response, but announced an independent review of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP).
Gallagher emphasized the need for unity in helping people recover and addressing the underlying issues contributing to wildfires. He cited a lack of infrastructure and proper land management as key problems.
Despite claims of budget cuts, Newsom’s office maintained that CalFIRE’s budget has nearly doubled since 2019. They also disputed claims of a water shortage in Southern California, stating that reservoirs are at record levels.
Republican lawmakers have criticized Newsom for vetoing a bill that aimed to protect fire victims from income taxes on settlement payments. Newsom’s office argued that the bill should be included in the annual budget process.
Lawmakers have also expressed concern over Newsom’s “special session” on wildfire relief, which included $50 million in funding to sue President-elect Trump. Critics argued that the session was politically motivated and diverted attention from providing aid to fire victims.