Newsom proposes $2.5 billion for wildfire response as LA burns

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom asked legislative leaders Monday to approve at least $2.5 billion in response to the wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles County — a move that expands the focus of the special session in California beyond strictly fighting President-elect Donald Trump.

The wildfire aid comes as Democrats at the state Capitol find themselves under mounting pressure to spend less time waging a national political battle against Trump as unprecedented blazes have left at least 25 dead and a trail of destruction in their own state.

Newsom issued a proclamation that broadens the scope of the special session and calls for the Legislature to approve $1 billion for emergency response, cleanup and recovery in Los Angeles County, which the state hopes to recover through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The plan, if approved by lawmakers, would make $1.5 billion available in state funds to prepare for the threat of firestorms, windstorms and other natural disasters in addition to federal disaster money. Another yet-to-be-determined sum would support rebuilding and repairing schools.

“California is organizing a Marshall Plan to help Los Angeles rebuild faster and stronger — including billions in new and accelerated state funding so we can move faster to deliver for the thousands who’ve lost their homes and livelihoods in these firestorms,” Newsom said in a statement.

The governor originally called the special session less than two days after the presidential election, asking lawmakers to increase legal funding for the Department of Justice in anticipation of the return of court battles between the state and federal government over the environment, health care and other policy areas that played out during the president elect’s first term.

The quick announcement immediately brought back the California vs. Trump narrative that placed the Golden State at the forefront of the Democratic resistance to the White House and boosted Newsom’s national profile. But the L.A. County wildfires have created a scenario in which state leaders will need to immediately work with their Republican foe for the benefit of Californians from his first day in office.

Biden declared a major disaster to support immediate response efforts and pledged the federal government’s full support, but Trump will be in charge for the duration of the cleanup and recovery phase.