California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced an executive order on Jan. 12 that focuses on rebuilding as the Los Angeles area burns from multiple wildfires.
Newsom spoke with NBC News’ Jacob Soboroff on “Meet the Press” about the executive order, which will target price gouging and halt environmental regulation related to “projects to repair, restore, demolish, or replace property or facilities substantially damaged or destroyed as a result of this emergency.”
“I’m worried about issues of rebuilding as it relates to scarcity, as it relates to property taxes, meaning scarcity of resources, materials, personnel. I’m worried about time to getting these projects done,” Newsom said.
Newsom said that California leads the country in “environmental stewardship,” which he doesn’t intend to give up.
“But one thing I won’t give into is delay. Delay is denial for people: lives, traditions, places torn [apart], torn asunder. Families, schools, community centers, churches, you’ve seen it,” Newsom said. “The number of schools that have been lost in this community, and … we’ve gotta let people know we have their back.”
Multiple large wildfires have devastated the Los Angeles area recently, leveling blocks of homes and businesses. The fires have killed 16 people as of Saturday, with five deaths attributed to the Palisades Fire and 11 from the Eaton Fire, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.
Officials expect that number to rise as cadaver dogs complete systematic grid searches of destroyed neighborhoods. Authorities created a center to report those still missing.
As of Saturday evening, CalFire reported that the Hurst, Kenneth, Eaton, and Palisades fires had already consumed roughly 62 square miles, equal to an area larger than San Francisco. The Palisades and Eaton fires alone incinerated 59 square miles.
Newsom has recently feuded with President-elect Donald Trump over California’s response to the historic fires. Trump suggested that the governor has mismanaged fire prevention and should resign over the disaster.
“One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground,” Trump said in a Jan. 8 post on Truth Social. “It’s ashes … This is all his fault!!!”
Newsom responded to Trump’s comments in a CNN interview the same day.
“People have lost their lives. Kids lost their schools, families completely torn asunder, churches burned down,” Newsom said.
“This guy wanted to politicize it. I have a lot of thoughts, and I know what I want to say. I won’t.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
From The Epoch Times