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California Republicans call for special session to combat wildfires
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Governor Gavin Newsom agreed to add the Southern California wildfires to a special session of the legislature.
This comes after Republicans in Sacramento called for that special session to deal solely with the wildfires and not focus on the incoming Trump administration.
Governor Newsom reached a deal that adds $25 million to a special session aimed at “Trump-proofing” California. One local assemblyman said that’s not what Californians are asking for.
“Republicans are standing together calling for action, immediate action, on recovery to ensure that these communities recover from this disaster,” Assemblyman Republican leader James Gallagher said.
California Republicans are calling for Governor Newsom to hold a special session to tackle wildfires.
“We should not be distracted by a special session to pay more government lawyers to sue Donald Trump,” Gallagher said.
Republicans say this special session would increase funding for wildfire prevention, enhance criminal penalties for arsonists and stabilize the insurance market to name a few. Central Valley representative David Tangipa was at the press conference in Sacramento.
“There are more areas that are under risk of more wildfires If it’s going to happen in January and it’s happening in L.A., it will happen in the high Sierras,” Assemblyman for District 8 David Tangipa said.
Tangipa called out Governor Newsom for approving an additional $25 million bill to be included in the special session: one for battling the Trump administration and one for immigration resources.
“This $50 million should be designated to what Californians are really thinking about today. And I don’t think that they’re thinking about some person in D.C. right now,” Tangipa said.
However, worries about president-elect Trump threatening to withhold federal aid to battle fires are real.
“He did it to California back before I was even governor in 2018 until he found out folks in Orange County voted for him and then he decided to give the money. So he’s been at this for years and years and years,” Newsom said.
State Senate Budget Committee Chair Scott Wiener announced the additional $25 million, saying California faces two massive challenges, one being “an incoming federal administration that has vowed to make it harder for Los Angeles to recover, by withholding disaster relief and deporting immigrant Angelenos who have been impacted by the fires and who are actively helping their neighbors.”
We asked Tangipa about Trump threatening to withhold funds from California.
“If we feel like we’re going to lose out on federal funds, then that probably means that California is doing something that, one, the federal government that is elected doesn’t coincide or at least agree with. And so when we’re looking at it that way, it’s not California’s way or not,” Tangipa said.
Tangipa said these fires are a non-partisan issue and that he hopes California lawmakers can come together to help Los Angeles.
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California Republicans are urging Governor Gavin Newsom to convene a special session of the state legislature to address the ongoing wildfire crisis. As wildfires continue to ravage the state, Republican lawmakers are pushing for immediate action to prevent further destruction and loss of life.
In a letter to Governor Newsom, Republican leaders emphasized the need for a comprehensive wildfire prevention and response plan that includes increased funding for firefighting resources, improved forest management practices, and measures to reduce the risk of wildfires in high-risk areas.
“We simply cannot afford to wait any longer to take decisive action to combat these devastating wildfires,” said Assembly Minority Leader Marie Waldron. “A special session of the legislature is needed to address this urgent crisis and ensure the safety and well-being of all Californians.”
Democrats have also expressed support for a special session to address the wildfire crisis, signaling a potential bipartisan effort to tackle this pressing issue. With wildfires continuing to burn across the state, the need for immediate action is clear.
As California grapples with the impacts of climate change and ongoing drought conditions, Republicans are calling for swift and decisive measures to protect communities and prevent further devastation. A special session of the legislature could provide the necessary platform for lawmakers to come together and develop a comprehensive strategy to combat wildfires and safeguard the state’s residents and natural resources.
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- California wildfires
- Republicans in California
- Special session on wildfires
- California GOP response to wildfires
- Wildfire prevention in California
- California emergency response
- Republican lawmakers in California
- California fire season
- California disaster relief
- California state of emergency
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