California Governor Gavin Newsom is begging Congress for money to help his state recover from the devastating fires and destroyed homes and businesses.
Late Friday, Newsom submitted a request that outlined a budget of $40 billion in federal funding that would bolster long-term recovery efforts. The fires, spurred on by high winds, razed over 16,000 acres of land, including the homes of the rich and famous. It is estimated to be one of the most costly natural disasters in the history of the United States.
The request was addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Reps. Tom Cole, R-Okla., and Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., of the Appropriations Committee. In it, he noted that damages were still being assessed and it is expected that the total requested funds will rise as the full extent of the devastation is documented.
“Make no mistake, Los Angeles will use this money wisely,” Newsom vowed in the letter. “California will ensure that funds will serve individuals, communities, property owners, and businesses that suffered losses from these devastating fires.”
“California has long been the tentpole of the American economy, a state whose GDP is the fifth largest on the planet and which contributes more tax receipts to the federal government than any other state — by far. California’s success is America’s success,” he added.
The request comes as debate rages on in Washington, D.C. regarding whether any funds distributed to California should come with conditions. Newsom has appealed to President Donald Trump to not attach any strings to recovery aid, saying the president and his administration “have demonstrated a strong commitment” to supporting the recovery effort.
“We are eternally grateful,” the governor wrote in his letter. “And we are confident that if we work together, Los Angeles will continue to serve as a beacon to the world and securely place the city on solid ground in the coming years as it hosts the FIFA World Cup and Olympics — and thrive for the century to come.”
The requested funds are broken down in the letter:
- $16.8 billion in public assistance emergency work
- $9.9 billion for repairing houses and businesses
- $5.3 billion to go toward business loans
- $4.32 billion for additional business grants
- $2 billion in low-income housing tax credits
- Hundreds of millions more for transportation, water infrastructure, and other such programs
California Senator Adam Schiff also pled with Trump to make the aid unconditional.
“To deny it — or place conditions on it — would be to abandon people in their time of most need. People need help. We must act urgently,” he said.
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Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
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