Sen Marie Alvarado-Gil Urges Veto Override by Legislature for Gov. Newsom’s Failure to Protect Firefighters

California State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson) urged her colleagues in the California Legislature to override Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of AB 1309 by Assemblyman Heath Flora (R-Ripon), would have required the state to pay rank-and-file Cal Fire firefighters within 15 percent of the average salary for corresponding ranks in 20 California fire departments, “and give the Cal Fire heroes the compensation they deserve.”

The governor said in his veto message that AB 1309 would create “significant cost pressures for the state and circumvented the collective bargaining process.”

“Cal Fire firefighters risk their lives battling wildfires to protect our homes, businesses, and communities. They run toward danger while others flee. Rural Californians, particularly in districts like Senate District 4, depend heavily on Cal Fire for fire protection and emergency services due to higher wildfire risks in areas like forests and grasslands, and limited local fire departments compared to urban centers like Los Angeles or San Francisco, where response times are faster. Many rural fires burn in state responsibility areas (SRAs), where Cal Fire is the primary defense. These firefighters deserve compensation that reflects their bravery and critical role,” said Senator Alvarado-Gil.

Residents of Senate District 4 are familiar with the perils of living in a district with severe wildfires.

• 2021 Caldor Fire in Alpine, Amador, and El Dorado Counties, one of California’s largest in history, burned 221,774 acres and destroyed 1,003 structures in El Dorado County alone.
• The 2022 Mosquito Fire in Placer and El Dorado Counties consumed 76,788 acres.

In early September 2025, a monsoonal storm triggered 22 wildfires with over 9,000 lightning strikes across the state. Cal Fire’s heroic efforts mitigated the potential for catastrophic loss of life, property, and forests.

“I have consistently supported Cal Fire and wildfire victims across rural California by advocating for budget increases, pay raises, and tax exemptions for fire departments, volunteer fire departments, and fire districts on firefighting equipment and specialized vehicles,” Senator Alvarado-Gil said.

On October 3, 2025, just before the Firefighters Memorial honored six fallen firefighters, Governor Newsom vetoed AB 1309, a bipartisan bill to increase Cal Fire firefighters’ pay. State firefighters earn a base salary of $54,000 annually, compared to $85,000 or more for local crews.

AB 1309 passed both houses of the Legislature and committee hearings almost unanimously – only one “no” vote was recorded in the Assembly.

As for the significant cost pressures for the state, “This is painfully hypocritical when the governor recently allocated nearly $300 million for a special election to redraw maps and promote his name for a potential presidential run, while blaming Washington, D.C., for inadequate support for Los Angeles wildfire victims,” Senator Alvarado-Gil stated.

Cal Fire firefighters endure over 150 grueling days annually, working long hours, facing extreme risks, and battling staffing shortages that leave them overworked and exposed to toxic smoke, which takes a toll on their physical and mental health.

“Fire fighters deserve better, and so do Californians,” Senator Alvarado-Gil added. “I urge my colleagues in the Assembly and Senate to override this disgraceful veto and honor our brave men and women on the frontlines with pay that matches their commitment to protecting California families.”

Senator Alvarado-Gil represents the 4^th Senate District including the Counties of Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne