WSSNews Vol 39 | No. 17

WESTSIDESTORY NEWSPAPER

Gov. Newsom Honors Lives Lost in Fires; Presents Plan to Move Forward

PRIORITIES FOR RECONSTRUCTION Supporting the financial path for survivors to return home Increasing access to affordable designs asing available builders and materials next.

By Solomon O. Smith | California Black Media On the six-month anniversary of the devastating Eaton Canyon and Palisades fires, Gov. Gavin New- som, alongside local leaders and elected officials, an- nounced a recovery plan and commemorated those lost during the tragedies.

"Altadena in particular is a special community. In Altadena the average life lost was 77 years old -- great grandparents, not just grandparents," said Newsom. "I hope it puts in perspective how blessed we are. And I hope it also puts in perspective how blessed ... we are to be here."

The announcement was held at Pasadena City Col- lege where officials updated the public on the status of the recovery and gave a blueprint for what happens

Newsom commented on the "record breaking" speed of the cleanup, reporting it 96% complete. Newsom has also issued 23 executive orders to ac- celerate recovery efforts in fire-affected communities and approved a $2.5 billion relief package. He also secured additional funds from FEMA and the Small Business Administration totaling $3 billion.

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo spoke about the dev- astation his community endured during the Eaton Fire, which claimed 17 lives. When combined with the Pal- isades Fire, the total death toll rose to more than 30.

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California Legislature Advances Bill to Raise Pay for Inmate Firefighters

By Bo Tefu | California Black Media

The California Legislature is moving forward with a bill to increase wages for incarcerated firefighters who work on the front lines of the state's wildfire battles.

The Senate Public Safety Committee voted July 8 to approve Assembly Bill (AB) 247, authored by As- semblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles). The bill would raise hourly pay for inmate firefighters assigned to active fires from roughly $1per hour to the federal minimum wage of $7.25.

Bryan described the long and difficult shifts these in- mates work, especially during the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, some lasting up to 48 hours.

"AB 247 will ensure that incarcerated people on the front line of fire disasters receive fair compensation for their invaluable service during devastating fires," Bryan said in a bill analysis.

Inmate firefighter Isaiah Nazari, who served in a conservation camp, sent a letter read to the committee noting the disparity in pay compared to professional firefighters. "All lives have value, regardless of incar- ceration status," he wrote.

The California State Sheriffs' Association opposed the bill, citing concerns about increased costs to coun- ties and noting inmates receive sentence reductions for time served in camps. Sen. Kelly Seyarto (R- Mur- rieta), a retired firefighter, supported the pay increase but warned that funding will be necessary to maintain program participation.

The bill initially proposed a $19 hourly wage but CR was lowered during negotiations. It now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consid- eration.

At the same hearing, the committee also passed As- sembly Bill 938, which would expand state law allow- ing victims of human trafficking, intimate partner vio- lence, or sexual violence to ask courts to vacate certain convictions. The expansion would include some vio-

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PRI lent crimes and provide additional legal defenses. Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland), who au- thored AB 938, highlighted that several other states have similar laws. Opponents raised concerns about

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Both bills now proceed to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.