California Gov. Gavin Newsom has responded to a threat by President Trump to withhold federal money intended to help the state cope with wildfires, saying residents should not be victims of partisan bickering.
Trump said Wednesday the money would be withheld unless the state improves its forest management practices.
Newsom, a Democrat, says "disaster and recovery are no time for politics."
The dispute comes a day after Newsom joined the governors of Washington and Oregon in sending a letter to Trump asking for more federal dollars to clean up forests.
California lawmakers last year approved a fresh $1 billion over five years for forest management activities.
Newsom discussed that letter and other investments he plans to make in fire safety at a Tuesday event in the fire-prone Sierra Nevada foothills. He praised Trump then for quickly providing disaster relief money in the past.
Mr. President -- Just yesterday, @OregonGovBrown, @GovInslee, and I sent a letter asking the federal government to work with us in taking on these unprecedented wildfires. We have been put in office by the voters to get things done, not to play games with lives. https://t.co/GjIVr6yxOP
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 9, 2019
Newsom is pledging to invest tens of millions of dollars to fight wildfires and deal with their aftermath.
He said on his first full day in office Tuesday that the money will go toward more trucks and aircraft along with mental health services for firefighters and other emergency responders. It would also help two California counties recover from property taxes lost due to wildfire destruction.
About two-thirds of the $305 million has already been approved by lawmakers.
He plans to push for a fee on customers to turn the state's 911 infrastructure system digital in coming years.
He'll spend "tens of millions" to aid Lake and Butte counties with lost property tax revenue.
November's fire in the northern California town of Paradise was the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century, killing at least 85 people and destroying nearly 14,000 homes.
Newsom is keeping former Gov. Jerry Brown's emergency operations leaders. He appointed Thom Porter the state's new fire chief.
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Billions of dollars are sent to the State of California for Forrest fires that, with proper Forrest Management, would never happen. Unless they get their act together, which is unlikely, I have ordered FEMA to send no more money. It is a disgraceful situation in lives & money!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2019
WATCH LIVE: Governor @GavinNewsom joins emergency officials to announce new executive actions on emergency preparednesshttps://t.co/t2q8Vwmffz
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) January 8, 2019
