California Governor Gavin Newsom finds himself at the center of growing criticism over his handling of wildfire prevention and response as devastating fires continue to wreak havoc in Los Angeles. A recently surfaced report exposed a controversial budget decision by the governor’s office, which slashed over $100 million from wildfire prevention programs, including a $5 million reduction to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s vegetation management initiatives. Some say the cuts have undermined the state’s capacity to effectively mitigate wildfire risks, compounding the challenges posed by California’s worsening fire seasons.
Newsom has also faced backlash for channeling wildfire relief donations through his super PAC, using the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue. This method prioritizes gathering donor data for future political campaigns rather than directly aiding victims. The governor, however, insists that the funds are earmarked for the California Fire Foundation and other organizations dedicated to supporting affected communities.
An analysis of California’s 2024-2025 Budget Bill by the state’s Legislative Analyst’s…
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