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California Governor Gavin Newsom has officially requested roughly $40 billion in federal funding to support the long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts in Los Angeles following the devastating fires that swept through Altadena and the Pacific Palisades.
Some shit you should know before you read: Back in January, wildfires tore through California, causing an estimated $150 billion in damage and devastating communities statewide. Thousands of structures were destroyed or severely impacted, leaving many residents homeless and businesses in ruins. Investigations suggested that the fires were likely sparked by power lines brought down by powerful winds, which, combined with dry conditions and dense vegetation, created the perfect conditions for rapid fire spread.
What’s going on now: In a letter directed to members of Congress, Governor Newsom has officially requested nearly $40 billion in federal funding to aid Los Angeles communities devastated by the recent wildfires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena. The proposed funding includes $16.8 billion for public assistance and emergency work, $9.9 billion to repair houses and infrastructure, and $5.3 billion for low-interest business loans through the Small Business Administration.
Additionally, Newsom is seeking $4.3 billion for economic development grants from the Commerce Department and $2 billion for low-income housing tax credits over the next decade. The request also outlines hundreds of millions for transportation, water infrastructure, and other community recovery programs.
Newsom stressed the necessity of federal support given the scale of destruction, stating, “It’s clear that recovery from these fires is beyond the capabilities of California alone and necessitates the support of the United States government. 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 devastating fires.”
The governor also said the state would double the budget for CAL FIRE personnel and stressed that the requested funds would directly support both immediate and long-term recovery efforts.
This all comes as some key Republican lawmakers, including President Trump, Speaker Johnson, and others, that federal funding for California’s wildfire recovery could come with strings attached. While speaking at CPAC, President Trump’s special envoy Richard Grenell suggested that aid would be conditional on reforms to state policies, including changes to California’s water management and forestry practices, which he argued are necessary to prevent future disasters. Grenell also proposed defunding the California Coastal Commission, calling it a “disaster” aligned with the “woke left” and claiming its regulatory power stifles development and worsens environmental issues.
