Democrats in the state Legislature are taking the first steps on Wednesday toward approving accelerated funding to assist with wildfire recovery in Los Angeles and arming California for court battles with the Trump administration.
Members of the Assembly and Senate are holding the first hearings of a special session called by Gov. Gavin Newsom — a move that allows proposals approved by the Legislature to be fast-tracked into law.
Last week, Newsom expanded the session, which he initially called to budget for lawsuits against the federal government, to include proposals related to the fires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena that have killed more than two dozen people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses.