“We would love to see this as a separate special session just focused on wildfire and insurance,” Republican Assembly Leader Assemblyman James Gallagher told The Epoch Times. “Enough of this nonsense about gearing up to sue Trump.”
“Let’s unite and come together to help our communities recover and work with our federal partners, who we’re going to need,” Gallagher said. “We’re going to need billions of dollars in relief and help, and it’s much better to take a cooperative approach.”
The plan calls for $2.5 billion for recovery, including reopening schools affected by the fires, cleanup, and wildfire preparedness.
Approximately $1 billion is earmarked for state emergency responses, with an expectation that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse the expenditures.
Officials would use $1.5 billion to prepare for other natural disasters, including firestorms and windstorms.
“I’m encouraged that Governor Newsom heard our calls to take action on the LA wildfires in a special session,” Minority Leader Sen. Brian Jones said in a statement emailed to The Epoch Times.
“However, lumping this emergency response together with a politically motivated specialsession to sue Trump is unnecessary and, frankly, insulting to those struggling through this disaster.”
He said victims of the disaster deserve a compassionate, non-partisan response that helps them overcome their losses.
“Sadly, these special session bills will likely include inappropriate provisions targeting the incoming federal administration alongside vital disaster relief for Californians,” Jones said. “Nevertheless, Republicans remain committed to working with our Democrat colleagues to secure wildfire relief and deliver real solutions for all Californians.”
Democrat Senate President pro-Tempore Sen. Mike McGuire said he would lead his colleagues toward swift legislative actions to address the needs of those impacted.
“California is moving heaven and earth to ensure an expedited and successful recovery and rebuild for all Angelenos,” he 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.”
His Democratic colleague, Assembly Speaker Assemblyman Robert Rivas said lawmakers are out listening to constituents and will bring the needs of residents into consideration during future deliberations.
“I’ve seen the devastation firsthand in Altadena, Malibu and the Palisades,” he said in a statement. “People have lost homes, livelihoods and a sense of security. They are scared and angry, and we must act fast ... We must ensure Angelenos and Southern Californians can restore their lives and communities as quickly as possible.”
Lawmakers will meet in the coming days and weeks to hash out the details, with proposals included in the special session able to move more quickly through the process than those in the general session.
