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Large areas of Los Angeles are going up in flames, but that didn’t stop California Governor Gavin Newsom from striking a deal with state lawmakers last week to try to “Trump-proof” the state, including taking $25 million in taxpayer money for a fund to help illegal aliens fight against deportation.
Another $25 million in taxpayer money is being set aside for legal fees for potential lawsuits Newsom expects to file against the incoming Trump administration.
This come as Newsom is being blasted for cutting over $100 million from fire prevention programs in the months leading up to the current ongoing catastrophic wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles.
From Politico: Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislative leaders have agreed to set aside $50 million to defend California — as well as immigrants facing deportation — in court against the incoming Trump White House, according to two people with knowledge of the negotiations.
The deal, struck through a special legislative session Newsom called to shore up the state’s legal defenses, includes $25 million he sought for state Department of Justice litigation against the federal government. It also contains $25 million state Senate leaders wanted for grants to nonprofit legal groups and centers that support immigrants who are at risk of deportation, detention and wage theft.
The deal leaves out $10 million the Senate wanted for counties and cities to defend themselves in court as well as an additional $500,000 the Assembly sought for the DOJ’s initial case preparation.
Amendments to special session bills that emerged on Friday reflect the agreement, according to the people with knowledge, who were granted anonymity to discuss confidential conversations. ABX1-1, SBX1-1, ABX1-2 and SBX1-2 are now co-authored by both Assembly Budget Committee Chair Jesse Gabriel and Senate Budget Chair Scott Wiener, and they both include the $50 million package.
State Assembly GOP Leader James Gallagher voiced his fury in a social media post Sunday evening.
“At a time when California should be laser focused on responding to the devastating wildfires in LA, Democrat lawmakers’ priority is creating a $50 million slush fund to hire government lawyers for hypothetical fights against the federal government and to defend criminal illegal immigrants from being returned to their home countries. The disconnect between what Californians need and what Democrats are focused on is astounding,” Gallagher wrote.
At a time when California should be laser focused on responding to the devastating wildfires in LA, Democrat lawmakers’ priority is creating a $50 million slush fund to hire government lawyers for hypothetical fights against the federal government and to defend criminal illegal…
— James Gallagher (@J_GallagherAD3) January 13, 2025
Those provisions are housed in Friday amendments to the four existing special special session bills, which are now co-authored by both chambers’ budget chairs. https://t.co/vUqzldQytX
— Blake Jones (@jonesblakej) January 12, 2025
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