Chu calls After Action Fire report disturbing
U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Pasadena) yesterday said the County’s independent after-action review of alerts and evacuations issued during January’s devastating Eaton and Palisades Fires is disturbing and raises more questions than it answers.
The report, ordered by the County Board of Supervisors, investigates the severely delayed evacuation alerts for residents in the path of the Eaton Fire. Chu, previously called for an independent investigation into these delayed evacuation orders, released the following statement:
“The Independent After-Action Report on the Eaton Fire evacuation delays is disturbing, raising more questions than it answers. For example, the report still does not explain why critical evacuation orders for west Altadena were delayed for hours, even after 911 calls confirmed fire in the area,” said Chu.
“Without alerts, many residents either went to bed or waited too long to make plans for someone to come help them if they were physically unable to leave on their own. Perhaps most troubling, the report only once mentions the nineteen lives lost in the Eaton Fire. We need a full accounting of how each of these deaths was allowed to happen, and what specific actions officials could have been taken the night of the fire to prevent their deaths,” she added.
Chu strongly urged the County to act on the recommendations outlined in this report, including clarifying who has authority over evacuation orders, strengthening staffing and training at the Office of Emergency Management, unifying agency communications into a single real-time platform, and ensuring alerts are immediate, automatic, and complete.
“I will be seeking more information from County leaders on how they will implement these reforms, and press for transparency into how west Altadena was left without timely warnings, who was responsible for those delays, and how these failures will be addressed,” said Chu.
Chu said on the federal level she will work to ensure that Congress helps local agencies have the staffing, technology and training they need to keep people safe. This includes fully funding FEMA and emergency management grants, supporting wildfire prevention and mitigation programs and investing in modern communications systems so warnings are never delayed again.
Schiff sounds alarm on USDA’s reorganization plans
U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, joined Senate Democratic colleagues yesterday in calling on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins to halt any further restructuring efforts until the department explains how the proposal would impact the crucial services, including its administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
In July, Rollins released a memorandum announcing a proposal to reorganize the Department by relocating USDA staff to five regional hubs across the country.
During the Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, Schiff pressed USDA Deputy Secretary Vaden on USDA’s plan, emphasizing that none of the hubs are in California, the largest agriculture producing state in the nation.
USDA officials have unveiled a preliminary plan to reduce the number of FNS regional offices from seven to four locations: Fort Collins, Colo., Raleigh, N.C., Dallas, Texas, and Indianapolis, Ind.
“Contrary to USDA’s stated purpose, consolidating staff away from the regions they work in makes it more difficult and expensive for FNS [Food and Nutrition Service] employees to get out into the field to do their jobs. This proposed reorganization will lead to reduced oversight quality, diminished technical assistance, and weakened relationships with state partners,” wrote the Senators in a letter to Rollins.
“Furthermore, impacts of staff cuts and reorganization will hinder FNS’ ability to responsibly oversee the implementation of the damaging changes to SNAP directed by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. States will not receive enough support from FNS to efficiently implement SNAP changes, potentially leading to significant issues, including increased costs to states and further limits on program access.”
Gomez rallies to save affordable health care tax credits
U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Downtown LA, Koreatown, Boyle Heights, Eagle Rock) rallied with health care providers from across Los Angeles this week to demand that Republicans in Washington join Democrats in extending cost-saving Affordable Care Act tax credits that help working families afford health care premiums.
If Republicans let ACA tax credits expire, 4.2 million people across the country will lose their health insurance, and families could see their premiums increase by an average of 75%. In California, a 60-year-old couple making $82,000 would see premiums jump from $7,000 to more than $26,000.
“In my district alone, 27,000 people rely on ACA credits for their health insurance,” said Gomez. “That’s 27,000 of our family, friends, and neighbors who could lose access to affordable healthcare if Republicans don’t act. Democrats are ready to make a deal to prevent a government shutdown, but Republicans are refusing to even come to the table. I’ll keep pressing them to negotiate so it’s not working families paying the price.”
Gomez said the possible expiration of these tax credits is another part of the health care crisis Republicans have created. In July, Donald Trump and Republicans passed the Big, Billionaire Bill, which cuts Medicaid and takes health care away from millions of Americans, all while giving huge tax breaks to billionaire Republican donors and adding $4 trillion to America’s national debt.
Gomez joined every House Democrat in voting against the bill.
Bass inks final approval of Convention Center project
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass this week signed the final approval of the modernization and expansion of the Convention Center project, a significant milestone in her efforts to revitalize Downtown Los Angeles.
The Convention Center project comes as Downtown LA has struggled to recover from slow foot traffic and office space vacancies brought on by the pandemic. In making the announcement, Bass detailed new actions that will support Downtown’s ongoing revitalization in the immediate term while the Convention Center is being built:
- LAPD has designated teams of foot patrols to be eyes and ears on the ground and is preparing to deploy trained bike officers in Downtown neighborhoods to prevent crime and make people feel safe.
- Trained mental health teams are being deployed in priority areas like the Historic Core neighborhood.
- Advancing plans to fast-track key permits for Downtown developments.
- A coordinated effort to remove graffiti, clear trash, and enhance the cleanliness of our major streets and public spaces.
“I am signing the final approval to begin construction on the Convention Center, a transformational project for Downtown and our entire city,” said Bass. “This project is more than just a building, it is about revitalizing the heart of our city and bringing good-paying jobs and tourism straight to Downtown.”
