Newsom proposes $2.5 billion to deal with wildfires burning in Los Angeles

sacramento — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday asked legislative leaders to approve at least $2.5 billion to deal with wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County, a move that broadens the focus of a special session at California's Capitol to strictly crack down on President-elect Donald Trump In addition to Donald Trump.

The request for aid comes as Capitol Democrats find themselves under increasing pressure to spend less time in their national political battle with Trump as an unprecedented fire kills at least 25 people deaths and wreaked havoc in their own state.

Newsom issued a proclamation expanding the scope of the special session and calling on the Legislature to approve $1 billion for emergency response, cleanup and recovery in Los Angeles County, which the state hopes to revive through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The plan, if approved by lawmakers, would provide $1.5 billion in state funding in addition to federal disaster relief funds to respond to the threat of fires, storms and other natural disasters. Another funding, yet to be determined, will support rebuilding and repairing schools.

“California is organizing a Marshall Plan to help Los Angeles build back faster and stronger, including billions of dollars in new and accelerated state funding so we can act faster to help rebuild our city,” Newsom said. Help thousands of people who have lost their homes and livelihoods in the fires,” a statement said.

The governor initially called the special session less than two days after the presidential election to ask lawmakers to increase legal funding for the state Department of Justice in response to the return of court battles between California and the federal government over the environment, health care and other policy areas. This happened during the president-elect's first term.

The swift announcement immediately brought back California's showdown with Trump, putting the Golden State at the forefront of Democrats' resistance to the White House and boosting Newsom's national profile. But the wildfires in Los Angeles County have created a situation where, from his first day in office, the state leader will need to immediately work with Republican enemies to benefit the people of California.

Biden declared it a major disaster to support the immediate response and pledged full federal support, but Trump will oversee the cleanup and recovery phases.

Newsom sent a letter to Trump on Friday inviting the incoming leader to travel to California to meet with fire victims, survey the damage in Los Angeles County and join him in thanking first responders. Trump has blamed Newsom for the wildfires but has yet to respond, although his campaign donor and close friend Elon Musk appeared in Pacific Palisades on Sunday and pledged to use Tesla Cybertrucks to deliver free Wi-Fi.

In a brief interview Saturday after greeting Mexican firefighters on the tarmac at Los Angeles International Airport, Newsom said he “absolutely” does not regret calling the special session if he “wasn't prepared for an attack.” , that would be a “dereliction of duty” on his part regarding California's values.

“We were involved in 122 lawsuits with the Trump administration, not just during my tenure but Brown’s tenure as well,” Newsom said. “In 2018, before I got here, he tried to deny California The people of Orange County are doing the same thing in Utah. He's doing the same thing in Puerto Rico. Pu Dingping.”

But even if the governor sticks to his choice, the expansion of the special session reflects a recognition that the message from Sacramento needs to change as Republicans lash out at the ruling party. Lawmakers canceled Tuesday's special session hearing because many lawmakers were staying in their Los Angeles districts because of the fires.

Earlier Monday, state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) said he would amend legislation to increase legal funding under the special session from $25 million to $50 million to fight Trump, adding of funds will be used to support immigrants fighting deportation. The plan faced strong opposition even before it was officially announced.

“At a time when California should be focusing on responding to Los Angeles' devastating wildfires, Democratic lawmakers' top priority is creating a $50 million slush fund to hire government lawyers to fight the federal government and protect illegal immigrants from deportation.” House Republican leader James Gallagher (Yuba City Councilman) said on X: “The disconnect between the needs of Californians and the concerns of Democrats is staggering. “

A total of $10 million will be used to provide grants to legal aid groups to help “vulnerable people facing detention, deportation, deportation, wage theft, intimate partner violence and other actions that endanger their safety due to potential or actual acts of violence.” Federal Action” under the revised legislation.

Another $10 million will fund organizations that provide immigration-related services, including deportation defense. The $5 million will supplement existing California Judicial Council grants to nonprofit legal services providers. The committee supports disadvantaged communities, including immigrants.

The funding talks come as Trump promises mass deportations once he takes office. But even before he took office, Border Patrol agents arrested dozens of immigrants in Bakersfield last week and said they planned to expand operations to Fresno and Sacramento.

Supporters say funding is urgently needed.

“This week’s raids targeting farmworkers, including racial profiling and random arrests of individuals in public, provide a chilling preview of what’s to come,” said Lisa Knox, co-executive director of the California Immigrant Justice Partnership. “This special session should herald the bold action California leaders must take to protect the civil rights of our communities and ensure our economy is not derailed by short-sighted and divisive federal policies.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) said in a statement that the governor's request for disaster relief funds is “a down payment that will kick-start community cleanup efforts and begin the process of rebuilding lives.” He pledged to work with Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) and Newsom worked quickly to get people the funding they desperately needed.

“I have seen firsthand the devastation in Altadena, Malibu and the Palisades,” Rivas said in a statement. “People have lost their homes, their livelihoods and their sense of security. They are scared and angry, and we must Act quickly to expedite resource cleanup and restoration. Our Los Angeles council members are listening to residents and will provide feedback to the discussion as we consider the Governor’s proposal.”

Luna reported from Sacramento, Castillo reported from Washington, and Washington Times staff writer Julia Wick in Los Angeles contributed to this report.