Gavin Newsom Talks Of Organizing “Marshall Plan” To Rebuild Los Angeles After Apocalyptic Fires

California Governor Gavin Newsom has described teh recent wildfires that devastated Los Angeles, especially areas like Pacific palisades and Altadena, as a crisis requiring a massive rebuilding effort. Drawing parallels to the historic Marshall Plan, Newsom emphasized the need for a comprehensive and collaborative strategy to restore the affected communities.

In an interview with NBC News’ Jacob Soboroff on Meet the Press, Newsom highlighted the unprecedented scale of the disaster. He noted that the fires are on track to become the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history, both in terms of financial impact and the extent of destruction. “In terms of the costs associated with it,in terms of the scale and scope,” he remarked,underscoring the gravity of the situation.

newsom revealed that his management is already crafting a vision for the future, dubbed “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,” he explained. This collaborative effort aims to reimagine and rebuild Los Angeles with resilience and innovation at its core.

To accelerate recovery, Newsom issued an executive order aimed at combating fraud, preventing price gouging, and streamlining the inspection process for insurance claims. The order also suspends certain California Habitat Quality Act requirements and ensures that property tax assessments remain unchanged for those rebuilding their homes. “To make sure when someone rebuilds that they have their old property tax assessments and that they’re not increased,” he clarified.

time is a critical factor in the rebuilding process, and Newsom expressed concern about meeting deadlines. “I’m worried about time to getting these projects done,” he admitted. Additionally, he highlighted the looming threat of winter rains, which could worsen the situation. “I’ve got to button up the canyons hear as it relates to potential flooding of a lot of atmospheric rivers,” he said, emphasizing the need for swift action to mitigate further risks.

california Governor Gavin Newsom has pushed back against claims made by President-elect Donald Trump, who accused the state of mismanaging water resources and linking it to recent wildfires. Trump, who is set to assume office on January 20, specifically cited environmental concerns surrounding the Delta smelt as a reason for underfilled reservoirs.Newsom, though, has labeled these accusations as “inaccurate” and “incomprehensible,” particularly to those well-versed in California’s water policies.

“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 stated. He further criticized Trump’s comments as “mis- and disinformation,” adding, “Responding to Donald Trump’s insults, we would spend another month.I’m vrey familiar with them.Every elected official that he disagrees with is very familiar with them.”

Reports from outlets like the Los Angeles Times have noted that a reservoir serving the Palisades area was not at full capacity. However, Newsom clarified that this was not a state-managed reservoir, as Trump had implied. “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 as it’s inaccurate,” he said. “Also, incomprehensible to anyone that understands water policy in the state.”

Considering the ongoing debate, Newsom has announced an self-reliant examination 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,” he explained. “I want them objectively persistent, and let the chips fall where they may. This is not about finger-pointing.”

When asked if the investigation was an attempt to deflect blame, Newsom responded, “How could it be when we’re doing an independent investigation and we just want the adjudication of the facts? As I say, it’s not about finger-pointing. It’s about answering the questions you and everybody want answered. And I think there’s a propensity to wait to answer those questions, and people want immediacy. They want response and responsiveness.”

Newsom also emphasized his commitment to accountability and collaboration, connecting the state’s rebuilding efforts to the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He sees the global event as an chance to showcase the region’s resilience. “The Olympics and other sporting events only reinforce the imperative in moving quickly,doing it in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation,” he noted. He also acknowledged former President Donald Trump’s role in securing the Olympics for Los Angeles, stating, “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.”

However, the scale of the rebuilding effort will require notable federal support.President joe Biden has pledged to provide 100% federal disaster recovery relief for the next six months, though the recovery process is expected to extend far beyond that timeframe. Residents and businesses affected by the fires can apply for assistance through Disasterassistance.gov, a critical resource for those in need.

. “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,” he ⁤said. “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.”

When asked about his confidence in Los Angeles Mayor⁣ Karen Bass, Newsom expressed unwavering support. “I have absolute faith in our ⁤community. I have faith in our leaders. I have the faith of our capacity to work together,” he said.

Despite ‌extending an invitation‍ to Trump to visit California and assess ‍the situation firsthand, Newsom noted ⁤that⁢ the president-elect has not responded. He also highlighted Trump’s threat to withhold federal aid,a move that could further complicate the state’s recovery ⁤efforts.

as California continues to grapple with wildfires and water management challenges, Newsom’s call for an independent investigation ‍underscores his commitment to ⁢transparency and ⁤fact-based decision-making. The governor’s focus remains on addressing the immediate needs of Californians while ⁤fostering unity and collaboration among leaders at all levels.