Fil-Am assemblymember introduces legislation to aid LA fire victims
Jessica Caloza / FILE PHOTO
LOS ANGELES – California Assemblymember Jessica Caloza has introduced critical legislation to provide relief to individuals, families, small businesses and nonprofits so they can rebuild and recover from the devastating wildfires.
“The loss, damage and devastation caused by the wildfires is staggering and what we need now is action,” said Caloza, the first Filipina elected to the California Assembly.
“Together, we must begin the long process of rebuilding and that starts by giving people and our most vulnerable communities the resources they need to survive.”
Caloza introduced AB 262 or the Individual Assistance Program, which provides direct cash assistance of up to $1,500 per impacted household, to take care of the essentials, such as housing, food and transportation so individuals and families have the immediate resources they need.
She also introduced AB 265 or the Small Business Recovery Act, which establishes a $100 million fund to help small businesses and nonprofits recover and rebuild.
This program offers grants ranging from $2,500 to $100,000 to help businesses not just reopen but emerge stronger and more resilient.
Wildfire relief funds
Meanwhile, Gov. Gavin Newsom Thursday signed legislation providing $2.5 billion in relief funds to support recovery from the deadly wildfires that ravaged Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
Newsom said the money will be “made available immediately” and will help cover “ongoing operations, disaster recovery, debris removal, work on logistics, traffic management, address all the myriad of issues that we’re facing in real time.”
Sen. Ben Allen (D-Pacific Palisades) hailed the signing of the legislation.
“The long road to recovery is just beginning, and these bills are a couple of important first steps to usher us along the path,” Allen said in a statement after the signing ceremony.
“Relief from these devastating fires is going to require a holistic approach, which will incorporate not just a massive financial undertaking, but strong policy that ensures the best interest of victims and survivors are upheld through the rebuilding process as well.”
