Today’s blog will focus mainly on the latest updates and fallout from the California wildfires, news, and a free chat of sorts. As usual, post the headlines we may have missed and feel free to chit and chat and enjoy one another’s company!
What You Need to Know vs. MAGAt Lies-California Fire Facts:
Elon Musk shut down by California governor Gavin Newsom as he fact-checks LA fires claim
Republican congressman calls for halting of disaster relief to California
Warren Davidson of Ohio says aid should be withheld until the state ravaged by wildfires reforms forestry management
A Republican US congressman from Ohio has called for federal disaster relief to be withheld from California unless the state reforms its forestry management practices that some blame for the rapid spread of wind-fanned fires that broke on Tuesday.
Warren Davidson’s remarks to Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo on Friday came as California’s Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, urged officials to avoid politicizing the response to the blazes which had killed people and destroyed thousands of homes.
Davidson’s comments came in the context of a spending bill that Congress would need to pass before March to prevent a government shutdown would include disaster relief for California.
President Biden/Biden Administration:
Biden says federal government to cover 100% of costs for initial LA fire recovery
The funds cover debris removal, temporary shelters and first responder pay.
President Joe Biden on Thursday announced the federal government would cover 100% of costs for the initial disaster response to the Los Angeles wildfires.
Meeting with federal officials at the White House, Biden said the funds would go toward debris removal, temporary shelters, salaries for first responders and more for 180 days.
Biden said he emphasized to California officials they should “spare no expense to do what they need to do.”
He also had a message for residents impacted by the ravaging fires: “We are with you. We are not going anywhere. To the firefighters and first responders, you are heroes.”
“The cost of the debris cleanup is gigantic, gigantic. The cost of replacing the housing is almost exponential,” he continued. “Anybody can give you a number now, they have no idea what they’re talking about. It’s big, big, big.”
