While ‘Trump-Proofing’ CA, Gov. Gavin Newsom Asks Congress for $40 Billion in Fire Relief Funds

In what can only be described as arrogance and chutzpah, nearly two weeks after signing legislation to authorize $50 million to fund litigating the Trump administration over California’s un-American and unconstitutional leftist policies and laws, Governor Gavin Newsom sent a letter Friday to Congress asking for $40 billion in fire relief funds.

The two funding bills Gov. Newsom signed appropriated $50 million to “Trump Proof” California.

It would surprise no one if Congress and the Trump administration told Newsom to pound sand.

As the Globe reported February 7th:

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation Friday authorizing a $50 million legal slush fund to “Trump-proof” the state against the President.

However, Gov. Newsom says the funding is not to be used for “immigration related legal services,” but the bill actually does as the Globe reported:

“SBX1-2 amends the Budget Act to add funding for Legal Services, including $25 million for legal assistance for Californians and immigrant communities.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced in early December his plan to “Trump-proof” the state against President Donald Trump’s anticipated policies. Newsom called the special session of the Legislature to grab another $50 million that the state doesn’t have so Attorney General Rob Bonta can spend more time and taxpayer money to file lawsuits against the Trump administration, litigate and “defend” California’s problematic policies, regulations and laws.

In his lengthy 14-page letter to Congress, Newsom boldly proclaims that “the state has stepped up to significantly expedite rebuilding efforts.”

“Make no mistake, Los Angeles will use this money wisely. California will ensure that funds will serve individuals, communities, property owners, and businesses that suffered losses from these deadly fires.”

Newsom says he has “nearly doubled the CalFire personnel budget, and increased wildfire funding tenfold.”

Some would correctly say this is a little late to help the Palisades, Altadena and Eaton fire victims. Others welcome any improvement in Newsom’s attention to the natural disasters he claims are coming more frequently (but did little to nothing about).

Yet, he did sign the two bills to pay for litigation against the Trump administration. And he signed the legislation AFTER the fires. How does that comport with his latest funding request from the President he campaigned against as Joe Biden’s stand-in? Gov. Newsom should have thought of that instead of stroking his own ego with the patently stupid “Trump-proofing” legislation.

Nor has the governor disavowed Senator Scott Wiener’s SB 222, the goal of which is to hold “Big Oil” responsible for natural disasters in California. Wiener’s new bill will allow insurance companies and victims of fires, floods, rain and sleet, wind events, mudslides, and earthquakes to sue fossil fuel companies for damages.

Talk about a real disaster waiting to happen. The governor should be openly campaigning against the destructive bill.

While increasing funding to CalFire, there is no evidence of Newsom actively and aggressively prioritizing actual forest management in wildfire-prone areas of the state.

Newsom has done nothing to provide more water to fire prone areas of the state. And no heads have rolled over the empty reservoirs in Pacific Palisades and Los Angeles during the January fires.

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, rather than spending time and money on “Trump-proofing” California.

The Globe was in Pacific Palisades February 7th when President Trump’s Special Envoy and White House representative on the ground in California, Ric Grenell, met with fire victim residents, and representatives from federal, state and local agencies to get the ball rolling for cleanup, and so those whose homes did not burn down could gain access to them without the red tape they were already mired in.

Grenell also stressed that any federal funding coming to and through the State of California would have strings attached. And it should.

Also remember that while the fires were still burning, Gov. Newsom said Jan 13th, on rebuilding Pacific Palisades, he has a team “looking at reimagining L.A. 2.0. We’re just starting to lay out. I mean, we’re still fighting these fires, so we’re already talking to city leaders. We’re already talking to civic leaders. We’re already talking to business leaders, with nonprofits. We’re talking to labor leaders.”

Let’s hope the $40 billion doesn’t go for Newsom’s reimagining L.A. 2.0.

In 2020, Gov. Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 182, a fire mitigation bill for local governments, passed by both houses of the California Legislature. The governor said, “Wildfire resilience must become a more consistent part of land use and development decisions…” “HOWEVER it must be done while meeting our housing needs.” (Governor’s veto message HERE)

Let’s hope Congress and the Trump administration tell Governor Newsom to clean up his own state. And then offer a special federal tax break directly to the fire victims. This is something LA County should also be doing anyway – offering a property tax moratorium to fire victims. Why should they be paying property taxes on ashes?