Governor Newsom is asking DC for $40 billion. What should the White House ask for in return . . .?

Photo above - during his July 2024 press conference, Governor Newsom promised the state was prepared for wildfires, even as property insurers fled when they were denied rate increases. Just 6 months later the governor was disproved.

Wow . . . those fires couldn’t have come at a WORSE time. Kamala lost the election. If she were the president, Newsom would instantly have his $40 billion check in hand, and maybe more.

I’m not at all saying California doesn’t deserve help. Congress and the president regularly provide aid during hurricanes, tornados, blizzards, and fires. Why not help Los Angeles? After all they just DID terminate their Fire Chief, about 15 minutes after the smoke cleared.

The fire chief isn’t the problem though. Kristin Crowley, a 25 year veteran, has been speaking out continually about decrepit high voltage lines, uncleared brush, and empty reservoirs. And she got fired when her predictions came true.

Wait . . . Kristin wasn’t fired. She was demoted. Still on the LA fire department, albeit, at lower rank. Hey, Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Newsom . . . get your story straight. Either Kristin's the problem, or she’s not.

Back to Newsom’s $40 billion request. Money should always come with strings attached. In the case of hurricanes, we probably should stop building high rise condos and vacation estates on the beach. In the case of a $150 billion wildfire, here’s what I might ask for, if I were president:

- Fix the power lines. Stop stalling

- Keep the reservoirs full at all times. Even if it means finally building a desalinization plant. You have an 800 mile pacific ocean coastline, for pete's sake!

-Stop expecting property insurers to lose their shirts, and flee the state. They're better at evaluating risk than the rate approval boards. Insurance rates shouldn’t be used as voter bait in an election year.

- Stop screwing around with illegal aliens. You can’t shelter America’s most wanted from arrest and deportation, and then turn around expect an allowance increase. Weren’t some of these guys even caught committing arson? 75% of California residents there say crime is their #1 concern.

- Extend the new “easy and quick” rebuilding rules which were created for Beverly Hills and Hollywood to the rest of the state. The ENTIRE state. People who work at Amazon or as teachers deserve affordable housing. Celebrities shouldn’t go to the head of the line just because someone got invited to cocktail party. (Stop rolling your eyes . . . you know this is EXACTLY how it happened . . . )

Those are the things I'd ask for, if I was kicking back in the Oval Office. What would you add to the list? And don’t say “higher taxes” – that hasn’t helped California, ever. That only led to dozens and dozens of state and local bureaucrats pulling down salaries in excess of half a million dollars annually.

I’m just sayin’ . . .

California governor requests $40 billion for fire aid, Washington Post reports

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass fires Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, citing her response to Palisades wildfire