California lawmakers approved a pair of bills Thursday that would provide $2.5 billion in state aid in response to wildfires that have destroyed neighborhoods, destroyed schools and damaged public infrastructure across Los Angeles County.
The bill, which received bipartisan support, directs funding to initiate large-scale emergency response and recovery efforts, including evacuations, shelters, hazardous waste removal, flash flooding, debris removal, traffic control, and environmental testing. There is.
“Tens of thousands of our neighbors, family members and friends need help,” Senate Pro-Tem President Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) said during Senate floor debate.
“This is a call for us to act with urgency, put aside our differences, and provide the necessary financial resources, boots on the ground, and policy relief we need to clean up our neighborhoods.” It means we need to be able to focus on getting back on our feet and rebuilding our communities.”
The fires, which began on January 7, have killed at least 28 people and destroyed more than 16,000 structures in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades.
Firefighters have made significant progress in containing the Palisades and Eaton fires, but continue to battle dangerous winds and dry conditions that have sparked new blazes in recent days.
After the wildfires first broke out, Newsom expanded the ongoing special session to include funding for Los Angeles. The governor initially called a special session two days after the November election to ask lawmakers to provide more funding to the California Department of Justice to fight President Trump’s legal battle.
During a visit earlier this month, former President Biden pledged to provide federal funding to support rebuilding efforts. Much of the funding approved by Congress on Thursday could eventually be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency if President Trump makes good on his promise.
The money currently comes from the state’s emergency reserve account, called the Economic Uncertainty Special Fund.
Newsom is scheduled to sign the wildfire funding bill in Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon.
