California Governor Gavin Newsom said that the devastating fires in Los Angeles, which have leveled Pacific Palisades and Altadena, require a rebuilding response he’s characterizing as a “Marshall Plan” for the region.
In an interview with Meet the Press with NBC News’ Jacob Soboroff, Newsom also agreed that the fires will end up being the worst natural disaster in U.S. history “in terms of the costs associated with it, in terms of the scale and scope.”
The governor said that when it comes to rebuilding, he has a team “looking at reimagining L.A. 2.0.” “We’re just starting to lay out. I mean, we’re still fighting these fires, so we’re already talking to city leaders. We’re already talking to civic leaders. We’re already talking to business leaders, with nonprofits. We’re talking to labor leaders.”
Newsom also issued a new executive order to try to prevent fraud and price gouging, and speed the inspection process so those who have lost their homes can get their insurance claims. The executive order also eliminates California Environment Quality Act requirements, Newsom said, and addresses property tax assessments “to make sure when someone rebuilds that they have their old property tax assessments and that they’re not increased.”
“I’m worried about time to getting these projects done,” he said.
Another worry, he said, is winter rains. “I’ve got to button up the canyons here as it relates to potential flooding of a lot of atmospheric rivers,” he said.
Newsom suggested that the rebuilding efforts also would be tied to the Olympics, which Los Angeles will host in 2028.
The Olympics and other sporting events “only reinforces the imperative in moving quickly, doing it in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation. President of the United States, Donald Trump, to his credit, was helpful in getting the Olympics to the United States of America, to get it down here in L.A. We thank him for that. This is an opportunity for him to shine, for this country to shine, for California and this community to shine, the opportunity with all of that and all that opportunity and that pride and spirit that comes from not just hosting those three iconic games and venues, but also the opportunity, I think, to rebuild at the same time.”
But the rebuilding effort is requiring massive federal disaster assistance. President Joe Biden has pledged 100% federal disaster recovery relief for the next six months, but the rebuilding effort will be much longer. The applications are available at Disasterassistance.gov.
Trump, who will become president on Jan. 20, has blamed the fires on Newsom, who has pushed back on the claim and has invited the president-elect to survey the damage. Trump has claimed that the state reservoirs were not filled because of environmental concerns of the Delta smelt.
“I don’t know what he’s referring to when he talks about the Delta smelt in reservoirs. The reservoirs are completely full, the state reservoirs here in Southern California,” Newsom said. “That mis- and disinformation I don’t think advantages or aids any of us. Responding to Donald Trump’s insults, we would spend another month. I’m very familiar with them. Every elected official that he disagrees with is very familiar with them.”
The Los Angeles Times and other outlets have reported that a reservoir that serves the Palisades was not full.
“That was not a state system reservoir, which the president-elect was referring to as it relates to the Delta and somehow connecting the Delta smelt to this fire, which is inexcusable because it’s inaccurate,” Newsom said. “Also, incomprehensible to anyone that understands water policy in the state.”
Newsom has ordered an independent investigation into water supply issues.
“So all of us want to know those answers, and I just don’t want to wait because people are asking me. I want to know those facts,” Newsom said. “I want them objectively determined, and let the chips fall where they may. This is not about finger pointing.”
Asked by Soboroff is the buck stopped with him, Newsom responded, “I mean, you’re governor of California. It might as well be the mayor of California. We’re all in this together. We’re all better off when we’re all better off, and we’re all better off when we’re working together to take care of people and to make sure people are supported. We’re empathetic. And we’re here not just in the immediacy of the crisis, but we’re here after the crisis, as opposed to creating a crisis in the middle of this by trying to divide people and play political, take cheap political shots.”
Asked if he has faith in Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Newsom said, “I have absolute faith in our community. I have faith in our leaders. I have the faith of our capacity to work together.”
Newsom said that Trump has not responded to his invitation to visit, but he pointed out that the incoming president has threatened to withhold aid.
“So that’s his style,” Newsom said. “And we take it seriously to the extent that in the past it’s taken a little bit more time. I’ve been pretty expressive about that in the context of someone threatening our first responders in terms of supporting the immediacy of their needs or recovery.”
