Free Republic

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office repeated the Los Angeles Times’ description of the RRA as “a new local authority” that would “buy burned lots, rebuild homes and offer them back at discounted rates to the original owners.”.. A controversial California bill that would have created a powerful “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” for the Los Angeles fires was put on temporary hold by state Sen. Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, in response to widespread community concerns. “I appreciate the input of the folks who have weighed in about the bill, and along with legislative colleagues have decided that it would be best for...

The California Senate passed a bill to authorize a Los Angeles County “Resilient Rebuilding Authority" that could use public funds to "purchase lots at a fair price for land banking," and "create open space." The bill would also allow municipal bodies to use property taxes to fund low-income housing and public transit. Senate Bill 549 now has a hearing in the state Assembly scheduled for Wednesday. As a funding mechanism, the bill would allow the RRA for the Los Angeles wildfires to “Issue, receive, and administer funds, including, but not limited to, tax-increment financing, federal loans and grants, state loans...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom was served recall papers this week as outrage persisted over his handling of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. The group Saving California, led by California resident Randy Economy, delivered the petition co-signed by 105 people, exceeding the 50 signatures required to initiate recall efforts against Newsom. The governor must recognize the petition by Feb. 7, after which California's secretary of state must recognize the measure. To qualify for the November ballot, organizers will need to gather between 1.2 million and 1.3 million signatures over 160 days. “Under the reign of Governor Newsom, living in California has...

In November 1961, a disastrous brush fire destroyed nearly 500 homes when it roared over a mountain ridge and swept through canyons in Los Angeles' Bel Air community, a grim illustration of the potential for wildfire devastation in a densely populated area surrounded by steep terrain and dry brush.