Gavin Newsom Slams Trump For Footing California Taxpayers With Federal Forest Bills

During a press briefing on Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) answered a question about maintenance of federal land in California.

Transcript

00:00We're happy to answer any questions.

00:02When was the last time you spoke directly with the President?

00:08A few weeks ago.

00:10When was the last time you guys spoke directly about this request on forest land and managing forest land?

00:17Well, we've had this conversation over the course of many, many years,

00:21and he's well aware of the importance of these investments,

00:26not only from the time that he and I spent at Camp Fire in Paradise,

00:32seeing the destruction of that, again, on a federal land, initiated.

00:38The responsibility that's placed with him to rake his forests, 57%, 3% California responsibility, 57% his responsibility.

00:53Patrick just made the point, $350 million of state taxpayer money to rake his forests, the federal forests,

01:00because they're not doing their job.

01:02So we've had this conversation over the course of many, many years.

01:06We've sent a number of direct correspondence.

01:09We've worked through our congressional delegation.

01:11We've worked through our state staff that resides in Washington, D.C., to make this a priority.

01:17I could not be more pleased with the leadership of Adam Schiff and Senator Padilla in particular on this issue

01:23that have been strong advocates with their colleagues in Congress.

01:26And there are a number of members of our California delegation that have led the way.

01:32There are other members of the California delegation that just supported cuts to forest service and forest management,

01:39and cuts to NOAA and FEMA, which is remarkable.

01:42Many of them allegedly represent, look that word up, districts like this.

01:49Any other members of the California delegation that have been