How Gavor Gavin Newo reacted to LA fires


A group of employees and the first responders stand on a street in a damaged fire, with charred buildings and trees visible in the background. An individual wears a cap and sunglasses while others wear jackets or uniforms. Camera crew shoots the scene and smoke fills the hazy sky.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and governor Gavin News Tour of the Pacific Palisadi Business Area while Palisades fire burned on January 8, 2025. A photo of Eric Tayer, Getty images

In the days and weeks after the wild fires in Los Angeles County, Gavor Gavin Newpom and his office moved quickly to manage the reaction and to start recovering efforts after the flames were contained. Since then, the governor has only been focused on the region, describing his approach as a “long -term commitment” with LA at a press conference in Altada last week.

Calm Alexey Kossef He explains that fires are expected to be one of the most expensive natural disasters in the history of the country and they have the potential to determine – or to redefine – the political career.

When the fires first started, Newsom lived and worked on LA for three weeks, issuing executive orders and messages around the clock. NEWSOM also congratulated President Donald Trump in LA in January To discuss federal help with disastersEven when the state legislator met A special Newsom session required At the end of last year, prepare the state for court disputes against the Trump administration.

Governor too Flew to Washington to lobby for help; recorded two episodes of fires for his podcast; And he has almost not issued a press release related to fire for more than a month.

Before the fires, among Reduce job approval ratingsNewsom was repulsion of rumors about a presidential offerS Now with less than two years, before the governor turns, all eyes may be on Newsom as he moves in a politically and fiscally complex situation.

However, for Bob Salladai, a senior communications advisor to Newsom, the governor and his staff do not think of his inheritance in response to the fires.

  • Salai: “I guarantee you don’t think about it. He does his job. “

Read more here.


Focus on the inner empire: Every Wednesday, a CalMatters Inland Empire reporter Deborah Brennan He studies great stories from this part of California. Read her newsletter and Sign up here To get it.

Calletatters events: On February 25 Calmatters’ Adam Echelman He will hold a panel to discuss what the state is doing to help the employment results of young Californians. Sign up here To attend the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles or practically. After that on February 26th, peace of mind Christen Talk to a member of the assembly My God about the maternity crisis of the state. Sign up here To be present.



Californians caused by mobility

A man in a track jacket stands near a window in front of a yellow home in Pasadena. In the background, the shade from the branches of the tree can be seen on the wall panels of the home, with pieces of sunlight piercing through the shade.
Michelle Holis career stands in front of her patient’s home in Pasadena on February 3, 2025. A photo of Zaidy Sanchez for Calmatters

When Ethan’s fire broke out, Michelle Holis, a caregiver with more than 30 years of experience, helped his patient evacuate from his home to Pasadena. The patient was one of about 2,500 residents of a nursing home who had to evacuate during the fires, according to the aging and disability of the county.

Calm Anna B. Ibara explains that the carers often have to take on the role of the first reacting when they strike disasters and their Patients are disabled or have limited mobilityS A 2019 State Audit found that state and district reaction agencies in emergencies are historically struggling to adequately support people with disabilities and limited mobility.

Thehe deaths of those aged 65 and over Killed in the fires in the LA area, emphasizes this disadvantage, prompting advocates and careful care to insist on more resources and centralized disaster planning in a letter to the Newsom government and state legislators.

Read more hereS

Meanwhile in the legislature …

A blue -wearing man stands up and talks to another person facing them in a gray suit while standing on the floor of Capitol.
The disputed member Buffy Wix talks with another legislator on the State Capitol assembly in Sacramento on January 3, 2024. Photo from Fred Greaves for Calmatters

Let’s dive into some legislative news:

  • Housing bond: Assembly Buffy Wicks Oakland and Saint. Christopher Kabbaldon By NAPA, both Democrats introduced two accompanying bills on Tuesday to set a $ 10 billion housing bond number in 2026. The measure would allow the state to borrow money to support its housing program On accessible housing, housing and assistance for home ownership, among other things. Wicks suggested a similar measure in 2023, but failed to land on next year’s newsletter.
  • High -speed rail project: After the president called the high-speed railway project in California earlier this month.the most managed project I think I have seen“State’s GOP legislators have seen a new opportunity to potentially kill a project they have been trying to suffocate for years, sending a letter Trump urges his administration to investigate the project. The majority of the Californians still maintain a high-speed railway line, According to a new pollS
  • Dude, where is my food?: Assembly Rebecca Bauer-KahanDemocrat from San Ramon, aims to master food delivery companies such as Doordash and Uber eaten with a bill that would require them to recover customers in the original payment method if their food orders are not delivered or incorrect – instead of partial loans for A future order.

Lastly: Restoration of fire

Gratory wild fire consumes a structure, with massive flames that absorb the scene. The bright orange and yellow fire contrasts against the dark sky, creating an intense and dramatic visual visual.
Ethan’s fire burns in the Altadan community on January 8, 2025. A photo of Ted Soki for Calmatters


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CA is looking for penalties for insurers who repeatedly make him wrong // Kff Health News

CA Republicans create their own Latin Caucous // Los Angeles Times

Modious local and musk insideR is in the center of the Dog // Modesto Bee

Therefore the bay area can Don’t see mass deportations // The Mercury News

State Senator Wiener and Mayor of SF Bank of more bars to revive the city center // Kqed

Lyn La is a writer of a CalMatters newsletter, focusing on the best political, political and Capitol stories in California every weekday. It produces and treats Whatmatters, the flagship daily newsletter of Salmatters …

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