California Black Media

Gov. Newsom, Legislature Reach $50 Million Deal to Counter Trump-Era Policies

Half of the funding, $25 million, will be allocated to the state Department of Justice to litigate against federal actions. The remaining $25 million will fund legal nonprofits and immigration support centers to defend immigrants against deportation, detention, and wage theft. Senate Budget Chair Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) praised the initiative, calling it a necessary step to counter “Trump’s extremist agenda.”

Published

1 year ago

January 25, 2025

Oakland Post

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California Democrats, led by Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders, have reached a $50 million agreement to counter the impact of potential federal policies from the incoming Trump administration, including mass deportations. The deal, announced before President Trump’s inauguration, aims to protect immigrants and strengthen legal defenses against the White House.

Republicans have criticized the move, accusing Democratic leaders of prioritizing partisan issues over addressing devastating wildfires in Southern California. Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher called the fund a “slush fund” for government lawyers and expressed concern about the state’s focus during a crisis.

The funding proposal is part of a larger special session package, with floor votes expected this week. Newsom, while addressing criticism, has remained active in wildfire recovery efforts in Los Angeles and hinted at the possibility of a fire-focused special session.

The urgency of the immigration-related funding stems from Trump’s previous pledges to enact mass deportations. Under President Biden, immigration enforcement actions have intensified in California’s Central Valley, adding to the concern.

Democrats argue the funding reflects California’s leadership in resisting federal policies they view as harmful. Wiener highlighted the importance of supporting legal aid services that can effectively assist millions of vulnerable residents.

If approved, the deal positions California as a national leader in opposing federal actions and protecting immigrant communities, underscoring its role as a stronghold against Trump administration policies.

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Oakland Post: Week of February 18 – 24, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – February 18 – 24, 2026

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February 16, 2026

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Trump’s White House Pushes to Control California Wildfire Recovery

The executive order signed Jan. 27 by President Donald Trump directs federal agencies to explore regulations that could override California and municipal permitting rules for homes and other structures destroyed in the fires. Land-use and rebuilding permits have traditionally been handled by cities and counties, making the move an unprecedented federal intervention into disaster recovery.

Published

3 weeks ago

February 10, 2026

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

The White House is moving to take control of wildfire recovery efforts in the Los Angeles County area, issuing an executive order that would shift rebuilding permit authority from state and local governments to the federal government following the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires.

“I want to see if we can take over the city and state and just give the people their permits they want to build,” Trump told the media when signing the order.

The Palisades and Eaton fires destroyed about 16,000 homes, businesses, and other structures across Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and surrounding areas. According to local data, roughly 4,700 applications to rebuild have been submitted, with about 2,000 approved so far. Officials say the pace of rebuilding is consistent with recovery timelines from other major wildfires in California, where reconstruction often takes several years.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass quickly condemned the order, stating that it is unnecessary and legally questionable. Disaster recovery experts echoed those concerns, pointing to constitutional limits on federal authority over land-use decisions.

Trump’s order calls on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration to consider allowing builders to self-certify compliance with health and safety regulations to receive federal approval.

The dispute has become another flashpoint in the ongoing political battle between Trump and Newsom. The governor has requested $33 billion in federal disaster aid that has not yet been approved, while survivors continue to face challenges related to insurance payouts, high rebuilding costs, and legal disputes tied to the cause of the fires.

“Instead of finally sending to Congress the federal relief Los Angeles needs to rebuild from last year’s firestorms, Donald Trump continues to live in fantasy land,” Newsom wrote on X.

Bass said the White House could speed recovery by approving disaster aid and pushing insurers and lenders to support affected residents.

Trump’s order calls for draft regulations within 30 days and final rules within 90 days.