Today, State Senator Mike McGuire voted for a state budget that includes no wildfire prevention funding and is expected to increase healthcare insurance premiums as high as $400 for California families, according to a statement by Representative James Gallagher.
The budget delays wildfire funding decisions until future negotiations with the governor over Cap-and-Trade. The vote comes as communities across the First District continue to recover from devastating wildfires.
Representative James Gallagher.
“It is outrageous that someone seeking to represent the First District would vote for a budget with no wildfire prevention funding,” said Congressman James Gallagher. “And to make matters worse, this budget adds to the already high cost of living in California. Mike just doesn’t get it. He is not fit to represent the First (District).”
The vote follows McGuire’s support for SB 840, which prioritized high-speed rail funding while placing wildfire funding last, in the lowest possible tier.
It also comes as Senate Democrats advance a Cap-and-Trade proposal that could reduce funding for both CalFire and wildfire prevention programs.
Four firefighters, two helicopter pilots and a contractor bulldozing a fireline have died in Colorado, Utah and Oregon this year. Fast-moving fires have burned…
