The Special Session Gov. Newsom and Lawmakers Should Have

The California Assembly gaveled in a special session of the Legislature to “Trump-proof” the state Thursday, as the wildfires continue to burn Los Angeles down. KCRA’s Ashley Zavala confronted Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Los Angeles) about the timing of the special session while the fires continue to rage in Los Angeles:

“Is now the right time to have a special legislative session on allocating money to fight Trump in a way that you could already do without a special legislative session?” California correspondent Ashley Zavala asked Speaker Robert Rivas on Thursday.

Rivas stammered and deflected, stumbling through a non-answer.

“I’m here to address … these wildfires,” Rivas responded. “This is a historic, historic wildfire. This is, this is a historic event. These wildfires, as I mentioned, are going to be, quite possibly, some of the worst wildfires and disasters in the state and national history.”

The Globe reported Wednesday that Assemblyman Bill Essayli announced his request for a special legislative session to address the state’s failure to prevent the wildfires:

“I just sent an official letter to Governor Gavin Newsom calling on him to convene a special session to address our ongoing unmitigated wildfire disaster. Instead of ‘Trump-Proofing’ California, Newsom needs to FIREPROOF our state! Enough is enough.”

The Globe has suggested lawmakers hold a special legislative session to figure out how and why fire hydrants were dry as fire fighters fought the Palisade wildfires.

This special session should include:

Why Governor Gavin Newsom is trying to “Trump-proof” California instead of wildfire-proofing the state – even as voters in every swing state voted for Donald Trump.

Why LA Mayor Karen Bass cut the Fire Department’s budget by $17 million.

Why Mayor Bass ignored the 17-page document (below) from LA Fire Department Chief Kristen Crowley warning that Bass’s LAFD budget reductions, elimination of positions and elimination of overtime would severely impact their ability to maintain core operations, training and prevention (The first page is a smoking gun – Bass was explicitly warned).

Why Mayor Bass traveled to Ghana, West Africa in the first place, and particularly after being notified one month ago of the potential for wildfires as meteorologists predicted hurricane strength Santa Ana winds for January.

Why Mayor Bass remained in Ghana as the fires broke out and spread, as homes and businesses burned to the ground and 23,000 people were evacuated – over 100,000 now evacuated.

Why Mayor Bass used a military plane to fly back to Los Angeles… she wasn’t in Ghana on official mayoral business. Why she took a charter flight to Ghana, and who paid for it.

Why California homeowners are getting their homeowners and fire insurance cancelled.

Why California’s Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara dodges the media – and homeowners. He’s a constitutional officer and owes the entire state explanations for the insurance crisis.

Why the state is sending 80% of California’s water to the ocean in unimpaired flows for “environmental” purposes.

Why Governor Newsom took four dams down on the Klamath River.

Why Gov. Newsom overstated (lied about) the number of areas treated with fuel breaks and prescribed burns by 690% in 2021.

Why Gov. Newsom hasn’t gotten any water storage built despite California voters approving $7.12 billion in bonds for state water supply infrastructure projects back in 2014.

Why Gov. Newsom slashed roughly $150 million from Cal Fire’s wildfire prevention budget.

Why Mayor Karen Bass prioritized a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Bureau in January 2023 with the goal of recruiting more women & gay firefighters, rather than hiring as many qualified firefighters as possible.

Why Mayor Bass eliminated positions in LA’s Emergency Management Department.

Why LA’s Fire Department sent “surplus equipment” to Ukraine, which apparently wasn’t surplus at all and is desperately needed now.