In Los Angeles County, where two huge wildfires killed 28 people and left a path of devastation this month, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation Thursday allocating $2.5 billion for recovery work.
At a news conference held at Willard Elementary School in Pasadena, close to the Eaton Fire’s devastating impact on the unincorporated community of Altadena, where neighborhoods of homes, schools, shops, and churches were completely destroyed, Newsom signed the bills alongside state lawmakers, city officials, and first responders. In addition to providing legal rights and other forms of relief for wildfire survivors, the legislative package aims to expedite reconstruction operations and finance cleanups.
As evacuees return to their communities, recovery operations are only getting started. There are still some places without electricity, ash is contaminating the air, and the few houses that are left are encircled by piles of debris and destroyed buildings. The coastal town of Pacific Palisades and Altadena, north of Pasadena, are two of the hardest-hit localities.
Last week, California senators presented a number of policy recommendations for relief and rehabilitation in Los Angeles, with several stating that they were working rapidly to approve the laws.
Robert Rivas, the speaker of the state assembly, stated on Thursday that the proposals received “very strong bipartisan support.”
“I think everyone in our legislature understands the urgency of this moment,” Rivas stated. “I also hope that the federal government recognizes the gravity of this situation. Politics, finger-pointing, and political games are not appropriate at this time. To rebuild this magnificent American city, we must unite. Additionally, I implore President Trump to promptly and unconditionally deliver government funds.
President Donald Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that he doesn’t believe the federal government should give California “anything” unless certain laws are altered, threatening to perhaps withhold federal disaster help from fire-torn portions of Los Angeles County. Trump’s accusations against Newsom’s leadership and policymaking over the fires have been disproved.
Just before a scheduled trip to Los Angeles, Trump made the disaster aid declaration.In a letter written the week the Palisades and Eaton fires began, Newsom had asked him to visit with firefighters and survivors and do an in-person damage assessment. Although he had not officially replied to Newsom’s invitation, he stated last week on NBC News that he “probably” intends to visit the area.
Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire said Thursday that the recently signed relief package was an indication of the state’s determination to support the healing and recovery of the Los Angeles region. “Your rebuild, your comeback is California’s top priority,” he declared while speaking to the Southern California county.
“No matter if you lose your home to a hurricane in Florida, you lose your business to a flood in Louisiana, you lose your ranch to a brush fire in Texas we’re all Americans first,” McGuire stated. “And as a nation, we Americans experience difficult times. Additionally, there are times in our life when the problem is greater than a single city, county, or state.
“And California is going through a tough time,” he stated.
According to President Joe Biden, the federal government will cover all of the expenditures associated with responding to the wildfires in Los Angeles. After authorizing a major disaster declaration that made FEMA grants available to wildfire survivors, he visited the area.
throughout the meanwhile, the Small Business Administration (SBA) is providing federal relief loans to businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters throughout LA County. According to a Thursday announcement by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, more than $50 million of these disaster relief loans have already been granted for homeowners and renters, totaling $52 million for wildfire survivors.