Senator Dave Cortese Issues Statement on Early Budget Action for Wildfire Prevention

Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) issued the following statement during today’s Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee about the Legislature’s $536 million wildfire prevention package, (details can be found in budget bills SB 85 and AB 79):

“Last year we saw historic wildfires rage across California, including the SCU Fire that consumed over 390,000 acres comprising areas of my District in Santa Clara County. California continues to face year-round fire seasons. To prevent more wildfire disasters, our state must address the core issue of climate change and reduce the conditions that spawned these intense fires.

“I am pleased to support the Legislature’s wildfire resilience funding package that will proactively address the state’s impending drought and wildfire season by providing critical investments in fire prevention, forest management and restoration, as well as other initiatives to mitigate the risk of wildfire in California.

“As California confronts more extreme and dangerous wildfires, we must prioritize restoring our ecosystem to prevent flammable vegetation. To this end, I applaud the critical funding appropriation of $155 million to go toward improving forest health.

“Other important investments include $123 million for fire prevention grants to conduct critical vegetation management as well as $27 million in community hardening spending, including home hardening and defensible space inspections.”

The $536 million package includes $411 million from the state’s General Fund as well as $125 million from our Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds.

After its hearing today in the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, of which Senator Cortese is a member, this funding plan is expected to be heard by the full State Legislature today during Senate Floor Session. Funding would be available immediately after these bills are signed into law.

For more information, contact Tara Sreekrishnan, Office of Senator Dave Cortese, at 408 480 7833 or tara.sreekrishnan@sen.ca.gov.