'Trump administration refuses California wildfire disaster aid'

[SteveG]

Trump: I don't see a fire

Trump administration refuses California wildfire disaster aid
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tru...d-n1243723

The Trump administration rejected California's emergency aid declaration for recent wildfires in the state that scorched nearly 1.9 million acres, destroyed over 3,300 homes and other structures, and killed at least three people.

Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote a letter to the president last month requesting emergency funds. In it, a regional administrator with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) asked the White House to declare "a major disaster" in seven counties ravaged by fires in September.

But this week, the Trump administration refused to grant a Major Presidential Disaster Declaration for early September fires, a spokesman for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services told NBC News.
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FEMA's press secretary, Lizzie Litzow, said in a statement Friday that the agency made damage assessments and determined that "the early September fires were not of such severity and magnitude to exceed the combined capabilities of the state, affected local governments, voluntary agencies and other responding federal agencies."

Litzow said California has the option to request assistance from the Small Business Administration and from other federal programs for loans that homeowners, renters and businesses could use to them recover.

She also said that if the state finds additional information to support their request for emergency funds, it can appeal the decision.

[PeterB]

[rgG]

I’ll bet he would give it to Florida, if they requested aid.

[hal]

he's an asshole - how could you vote for this guy Swampy? Do you really think it's right that he only presides over the part of the country that he likes?

[sekker]

rgG wrote:
I’ll bet he would give it to Florida, if they requested aid.

Mark my words, he will try to give aid to FL before Nov 3 - even if not invited to. He will try to bribe the FL voters.

[GGD]

Maybe Nancy can tack it on to the end of her shopping list to give to Mnuchin.

[deckeda]

So hold up, they actually suggested SBA loans for this? What’s next, IOU Post-It notes for tax payments?

[bfd]

Californians pay plenty in Federal Taxes every year. Perhaps Californians need make that more clear to Cheeto… of course, Cheeto doesn't pay enough in taxes to fully understand the concept.

[NewtonMP2100]

.....they just reversed their decision......

[SteveG]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday that President Donald Trump has approved the state's request for a major disaster declaration for wildfires that have burned hundreds of thousands of acres in the state. The reversal came hours after the Trump administration had denied the bid and California officials were planning to appeal the rejection.

In a tweet Friday afternoon, Newsom said he had spoken with Trump over the phone and that the president "has just approved our Major Disaster Declaration request."

"Grateful for his quick response," the governor wrote.