Newsom signs state of emergency to support California communities recovering from wildfires
With his signature on a bill that will provide financial assistance to California and a host of other communities suffering from destructive wildfire, Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed the most far-reaching state of emergency in California history.
Gov. Newsom has signed Senate Bill 50 that will help California and the nation recover from the most destructive wildfires in our country’s memory.
The move will put the state at the forefront of a multi-state effort to put a dent in wildfire damage.
The signing took place at the state Capitol. The last day California can file for bankruptcy under Chapter 9 lies May 31. That’s the only option California has left. If it files, the state will be forced to stop selling bonds and instead cut its spending by $24 billion.
“The wildfires we have had in California, they’re absolutely horrific,” Newsom said. “It makes this decision all the more significant. It’s about making sure that we are able to restore our health and safety and livelihood within the communities.”
To do this, Gov. Newsom signed a bill that passed the state Senate on Wednesday which will provide relief of $10 million each to 10 different areas devastated by the wildfires. The money will go directly toward the rebuilding of homes devastated by the fires with no money from the state budget.
The money will help rebuild communities like Paradise, where the fire burned nearly all the structures down after destroying more than 11,000 homes. It’s a city of roughly 200,000 people where many of its residents fled before the fire even had a shot at them.
The money will go directly toward those rebuilding homes destroyed by the fire. There is a limit to how much will be provided. In the years after the fire, the town will have to rely on philanthropy to rebuild homes as more businesses and residents can’t afford to buy and rebuild homes.
It’s a way for California to make sure the community will have a better chance to rebuild after a catastrophic event.
The governor also signed another bill