California Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking Congress to approve an additional $39.7 billion in aid to help Los Angeles recover from the catastrophic damage wreaked by the January firestorm, which he warns could become the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.
Newsom sent a letter Friday addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.); House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.); Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), the House Appropriations Committee chair; and Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the lead Democrat on that committee, asking for their support.
“Los Angeles is one of the most economically productive places on the globe, but it can only rebound and flourish with support from the federal government as it recovers from this unprecedented disaster,” Newsom wrote.
Estimates of the total economic loss from the firestorm have swelled to more than $250 billion — with real estate losses from the Palisades and Eaton fires predicted to potentially top $30 billion, according to a Times analysis.
A total of 16,251 structures were destroyed as the fires tore through a combined 37,400 acres of Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Pasadena and Altadena.
Newsom’s letter outlines how the requested funding would be used to rebuild homes, infrastructure, business, schools, churches and healthcare facilities, while supporting the needs of residents, workers and children affected by the devastating fires. More here