In the days and weeks following the January Los Angeles County wildfires, Gov. Gavin Newsom and his office moved quickly to manage the response and begin recovery efforts after the blazes were contained. Since then, the governor has been singularly focused on the region, describing his approach as “an extended period of engagement” with L.A. during a press conference in Altadena last week.
As CalMatters’ Alexei Koseff explains, the wildfires are expected to be one of the costliest natural disasters in the country’s history, and they have the potential to define — or redefine — one’s political career.
When the fires first ignited, Newsom lived and worked from L.A. for three weeks, issuing executive orders and announcements around the clock. Newsom also greeted President Donald Trump in L.A. in January to discuss federal disaster aid, even as the state Legislature met for a special session Newsom called for late last year to prepare the state for litigation against the Trump administration.
The governor also flew to Washington D.C. to lobby for aid; recorded two episodes about the fires for his podcast; and has barely issued a non-fire-related press release for more than a month.
Before the fires, amid declining job approval ratings, Newsom was fending off rumors of a presidential bid. Now with less than two years before the governor terms out, all eyes may be on Newsom as he navigates a politically and fiscally complex situation.
For Bob Salladay, however, Newsom’s senior advisor for communications, the governor and his staff aren’t thinking about his legacy in response to the fires.
- Salladay: “I guarantee he doesn’t think about that. He’s doing his job.”
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Other Stories You Should Know
Mobility-challenged Californians at risk during disasters
When the Eaton Fire broke out, Michelle Hollis, a caregiver with more than 30 years of experience, helped her patient evacuate from her Pasadena home. The patient was one of the roughly 2,500 nursing home residents who had to evacuate during the wildfires, according to the county’s aging and disabilities department.
As CalMatters’ Ana B. Ibarra explains, caregivers often must assume the role of first responders when disasters strike and their patients are disabled or have limited mobility. A 2019 state audit found that state and county emergency response agencies have historically struggled to adequately assist people with disabilities and limited mobility.
The deaths of those age 65 and older killed in the L.A.-area fires underscore this shortcoming, prompting advocates and caregivers to push for more resources and centralized planning for disasters in a letter to Gov. Newsom and state legislators.
Meanwhile, in the Legislature…
Let’s dive into some legislative news:
- Housing bond: Assemblymember Buffy Wicks of Oakland and Sen. Christopher Cabaldon of Napa, both Democrats, introduced two companion bills Tuesday to place a $10 billion housing bond issue on the 2026 ballot. The measure would enable the state to borrow money to support its affordable housing rental program, farmworker housing and homeownership assistance, among other things. Wicks proposed a similar measure in 2023, but it failed to land on the ballot the following year.
- High-speed rail project: After the president earlier this month called California’s high-speed rail project “the worst managed project I think I’ve ever seen,” the state’s GOP lawmakers saw a fresh opportunity to potentially kill a project they have been trying to smother for years, sending a letter to Trump urging his administration to investigate the project. A majority of Californians still support the high-speed rail, according to a new poll.
- Dude, where’s my food?: Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, a San Ramon Democrat, aims to rein in food delivery companies such as DoorDash and Uber Eats with a bill that would require them to refund customers in the original payment method if their food orders are not delivered or incorrect — instead of partial credits for a future order.
And lastly: Wildfire recovery
Using Texas as a model, a California bill aims to create a state-led task force to speed up housing recovery after disasters such as wildfires. CalMatters’ Sameea Kamal and video strategy director Robert Meeks have a video segment on the proposal as part of our partnership with PBS SoCal. Watch it here.
And check out another video about the safety concerns of wildfire cleanup workers in L.A. from CalMatters’ Jeanne Kuang and Robert. Watch it here.
SoCalMatters airs at 5:58 p.m. weekdays on PBS SoCal.
California Voices
CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: Conflicting research from various sources muddy up the debate over raising the minimum wage for California fast food workers.
California has few program options for families caring for elderly relatives, and Medicaid work requirements being considered by the Trump administration threatens to worsen the situation, writes Courtney E. Martin, an author, podcaster and caregiver in El Cerrito.
Other things worth your time:
EPA plan for LA wildfire cleanup stirs protests over toxic dangers // The Guardian
Wisconsin Republicans propose $10K income tax break for CA wildfire relocations // AP News
Trump administration orders colleges, K-12 schools to abolish DEI // Los Angeles Times
CA’s tech history has lessons for Musk’s government overhaul // The Sacramento Bee
CA seeks penalties for insurers that repeatedly get it wrong // KFF Health News
CA Republicans create their own Latino Caucus // Los Angeles Times
Modesto native and Musk insider is at the center of DOGE’s access controversy // The Modesto Bee
Here’s why the Bay Area may not see mass deportations // The Mercury News
State Sen. Wiener and SF Mayor bank on more bars to revive city’s downtown // KQED