California lawmakers on Thursday approved a bill that would provide $2.5 billion in state aid to respond to wildfires that have devastated areas, destroyed schools and destroyed public infrastructure across Los Angeles County.
The legislation, which received bipartisan support, would provide money to launch monumental emergency response and recovery efforts, including evacuations, shelters, hazardous waste removal, flash flooding, debris removal, traffic management, and environmental testing. Instruct.
“Tens of thousands of our neighbors, family members and friends need help,” Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-Hallsburg) said during floor debate on the Senate floor. Said.
“This is about moving with urgency, putting aside differences, and focusing on providing financial resources, delivering boots on the ground, and the policy relief that is needed to clean up our neighborhoods.” It means that UP and the community can be rebuilt.”
The fire, which started on January 7, has killed at least 28 people and destroyed more than 16,000 structures in Altadena and Pacific Palisades.
Firefighters have made significant progress in containing the Palisade and Eaton fires, but continue to battle dangerous winds and dry conditions that have sparked new fires in recent days.
After the wildfires first broke out, Newsom expanded the ongoing special session to include funding for Los Angeles. The governor originally called a special session two days after the November election to demand that lawmakers give the California Department of Justice more money to wage its legal fight against President Trump.
During a visit earlier this month, former President Biden pledged federal funds to support recovery efforts. Much of the funding approved by Congress on Thursday could eventually be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency if Trump follows through on his promise.
The money currently comes from the state’s emergency reserve account, called the Special Fund for Economic Uncertainty.
Newsom is scheduled to sign the Wildfire funding bill Thursday afternoon in Los Angeles.
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