For the second day in a row, California lawmakers have canceled a special session hearing on the state’s Democratic-led efforts to prepare for President-elect Donald Trump and have slightly delayed its plans to provide funds in response to the Los Angeles County wildfires. California’s Democratic leaders on Monday expanded the special legislative session that was at first meant to focus on preparing for legal battles with the Trump administration to now also include an effort to provide $2.5 billion in funds to help Los Angeles recover from the devastating wildfires and help with the emergency response. Democrats originally wanted the Trump-related legislation in effect by the time he takes office on January 20. After this story published and aired, leaders from both the State Senate and Assembly said both houses would begin hearings on January 22 and have full votes during floor session the week of January 27. Leaders of California’s State Senate planned to have a Budget Committee hearing on the Trump preparation and disaster relief on Tuesday afternoon with the expectation both efforts would be passed by Friday. But on Tuesday morning, the Senate canceled the hearing. Republicans on Tuesday morning were concerned Democrats were trying to merge both the Trump-related proposal and disaster relief into the same legislation. The hearing’s agenda showed the two bills that include the Trump-related legislation that sets aside $50 million for legal funds and immigration services. Democratic State Sen. Scott Wiener, who is the chairman of the budget committee, told reporters on Monday night the disaster relief and Trump bills would be merged together. The governor’s disaster relief proposal had not been put into writing as of Tuesday.A spokesperson for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office told KCRA 3 on Tuesday afternoon it was never the governor’s intent to have the two issues combined into the same legislation. “He wants the disaster aid passed on its own and approved swiftly without any unnecessary delays,” Tara Gallegos said. Republican Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher criticized the possibility of the two issues being placed together in the same legislation, posting on X Tuesday that it would be a “politically sick maneuver,” that would force members of his party to reject the disaster relief funds if they want to reject the Trump-related legislation.In an interview Thursday afternoon, Gallagher was encouraged the governor intended to separate the topics. “You can’t tie those things together, we all want to help Los Angeles recover and be there for people who are suffering just like people were there in Paradise when we were recovering,” he said. “Though I’m glad it appears the governor is saying he’s separating those things in the special session, we should again shut down Trump proofing California and help communities recover.” The Assembly’s Vice Budget Chairman, Republican Heath Flora, sent a letter to Gov. Newsom on Tuesday night along with a handful of other lawmakers in the party, asking him to clarify the special session terms. “It remains confusing to the general public when they hear that Trump-proofing and wildfires will be taken up in the same Special Session but with different legislation,” Flora wrote. Multiple sources close to the situation told KCRA 3 that the Senate canceled its hearing because the legislation needed more time. The Assembly Budget Committee on Monday also postponed its hearing.See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at kcra.com/upload.See more coverage of top California stories here | Subscribe to our morning newsletter
For the second day in a row, California lawmakers have canceled a special session hearing on the state’s Democratic-led efforts to prepare for President-elect Donald Trump and have slightly delayed its plans to provide funds in response to the Los Angeles County wildfires.
California’s Democratic leaders on Monday expanded the special legislative session that was at first meant to focus on preparing for legal battles with the Trump administration to now also include an effort to provide $2.5 billion in funds to help Los Angeles recover from the devastating wildfires and help with the emergency response.
Democrats originally wanted the Trump-related legislation in effect by the time he takes office on January 20. After this story published and aired, leaders from both the State Senate and Assembly said both houses would begin hearings on January 22 and have full votes during floor session the week of January 27.
Leaders of California’s State Senate planned to have a Budget Committee hearing on the Trump preparation and disaster relief on Tuesday afternoon with the expectation both efforts would be passed by Friday. But on Tuesday morning, the Senate canceled the hearing.
Republicans on Tuesday morning were concerned Democrats were trying to merge both the Trump-related proposal and disaster relief into the same legislation. The hearing’s agenda showed the two bills that include the Trump-related legislation that sets aside $50 million for legal funds and immigration services.
Democratic State Sen. Scott Wiener, who is the chairman of the budget committee, told reporters on Monday night the disaster relief and Trump bills would be merged together. The governor’s disaster relief proposal had not been put into writing as of Tuesday.
A spokesperson for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office told KCRA 3 on Tuesday afternoon it was never the governor’s intent to have the two issues combined into the same legislation.
“He wants the disaster aid passed on its own and approved swiftly without any unnecessary delays,” Tara Gallegos said.
Republican Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher criticized the possibility of the two issues being placed together in the same legislation, posting on X Tuesday that it would be a “politically sick maneuver,” that would force members of his party to reject the disaster relief funds if they want to reject the Trump-related legislation.
In an interview Thursday afternoon, Gallagher was encouraged the governor intended to separate the topics.
“You can’t tie those things together, we all want to help Los Angeles recover and be there for people who are suffering just like people were there in Paradise when we were recovering,” he said. “Though I’m glad it appears the governor is saying he’s separating those things in the special session, we should again shut down Trump proofing California and help communities recover.”
The Assembly’s Vice Budget Chairman, Republican Heath Flora, sent a letter to Gov. Newsom on Tuesday night along with a handful of other lawmakers in the party, asking him to clarify the special session terms.
“It remains confusing to the general public when they hear that Trump-proofing and wildfires will be taken up in the same Special Session but with different legislation,” Flora wrote.
Multiple sources close to the situation told KCRA 3 that the Senate canceled its hearing because the legislation needed more time. The Assembly Budget Committee on Monday also postponed its hearing.
See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at kcra.com/upload.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Subscribe to our morning newsletter
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