California This Week
Shots fired, fires, and fiery reparations rage
Some things going on around the Golden State this past week you may have missed
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I’m a little late on the California news from last week. In my defense, school started and there is no end to scourge of useless activities and paperwork public schools demand for the beginning of a senior year. Forgive me…and support school choice!
I Left My Safety In San Francisco
California’s crime wave has reached nearly every walk of life. At the beginning of the month San Francisco 49er wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in a San Francisco shopping district as he carried his bags back to his car.
Pearsall was walking alone carrying shopping bags to his car shortly after 3:30 p.m. Saturday when a suspect attempted to rob him with a gun on Geary Boulevard in the Union Square area, officials said.
“A struggle between Mr. Pearsall and the suspect ensued and gunfire from the suspect’s gun struck both Mr. Pearsall and the subject,” San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said during a news briefing.
The suspect is a 17-year-old male from the region and that is all the information police have released, and likely will, given his age and our embarrassing lack of legal accountability in this state.
No Reparations For You
California is the first state in the nation to commit to reparations for Black residents/descendants of slaves and formed a task force a couple of years ago to workshop details. I followed the task force live zoom calls throughout its duration and it was always a mess. They spent most of their time arguing with each other over who would qualify and what “grievances” would be included in the guidelines - no, it wasn’t just about slavery. The California plan included “reparations” for things like police brutality, discrimination in education and housing, and even “LGBTQ+ “discrimination.” When it was finally released the initial price tag came out to nearly a trillion dollars, and that was only to cover TWO of the forty-nine grievance areas they identified. Clearly, this was unaffordable, even in a state that loves spending money. The task force disbanded and Governor Newsom declared the issue on “pause” as the state deals with other priorities.
One of those other priorities? Giving money to illegal immigrants to help them purchase their first home. Only illegal immigrants would qualify.
The Democrat-controlled California Legislature has passed a polarizing bill that would make the Golden State the first in the nation to offer down payment assistance to illegal immigrant home buyers.
Assembly Bill 1840, which was approved Wednesday, would grant undocumented immigrants access to the state’s taxpayer-funded home loan program, which provides up to $150,000 in down payment assistance for eligible first-time home buyers.
Understandably, the idea has angered many Black Californians.
Members of the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California protested a in the Capitol rotunda, demanding that lawmakers take up a vote on the two bills. On X, the group claimed that the CLBC "cheated to stop reparations bills from getting to the Governor’s desk."
"This type of betrayal cannot go unanswered. There must be a political price to pay. Gone are the days when politicians of any race or party can disrespect Black Americans and expect no political consequences. We are not captured. We do not belong to any party or special interest. We are the living embodiment of our Ancestors who built this state and this country over 400 years and who are owed Reparations. We're coming...No...We're HERE, to get our checks and more."
But It’s Fine Because Gavin is Running
As I predicted weeks ago, Gavin Newsom has chosen to veto the bill that would provide $150,000 to illegal immigrant home buyers. You may have noticed Kamala’s hard shift to the center after she took the top Democrat spot. Democrats know their policies can’t win, which is why they only tell us who they are after their elections.
Newsom is no different. More than anything he wants to be President one day. He’s been working his entire life to that one end. He is well aware of the political liability California has become and he needs to mitigate as many opposition ads as possible and he needs to start now while he’s still the governor and still has the power to clean up his record. I had no doubt he would veto this bill. There is no way he could run successfully with that on his record.
Homeless Encampment Season Is Upon Us
We’re well known for our fire seasons. Every year the progressive green tyrants try to tell us global warming global cooling climate change is the culprit, but California holds over half of the nation’s homeless population. How do the homeless eat or stay warm while living on the streets? No, not with any of the endless homeless assistance programs and shelters we provide. They light fires to cook and heat. The result is multiple and repeated fires across the state, both in cities and in the wilderness, where many homeless retreat to live off the land.
So, it’s no surprise yet another homeless encampment has destroyed more taxpayer property and put more lives at risk.
Energy Rate Hikes Are On the Way
One of California’s largest energy providers has announced they will be raising their rates, despite being responsible for some of the most devastating wildfires in state history, including the Paradise disaster in which 84 people burned to death.
Gavin Newsom has mandated the state to draw mostly on wind and solar energy by 2045, and all but one of our nuclear reactors have been shuttered. Sacramento is also working on policy that will require energy companies to bill their customers based on their income instead of their energy consumption.
Wildfires have been raging across California for the last week. I was out of town and had to race home to my family in case we received an evacuation order. Thankfully we did not have to evacuate, but at least one person I know lost their home and many ranches and homes are still under threat.
Two of the fires - Bridge and Line - were reportedly started by arsons/homeless encampments. The Airport fire (in my region) is said to have been caused (ironically) by crews doing fire safety maintenance. Their equipment caused sparks that eventually lit the dry foothills on fire.
Here are some updates from our local news affiliates:
Bridge Fire
The Bridge Fire continues to burn over 54,000 acres in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties on Monday.
More than 2,000 fire personnel continue battling the fire which continues to be the largest active fire in California.
Line Fire
In San Bernardino County, the Line Fire continues to burn 39,026 acres and is now 42% contained.
Over 3,000 fire personnel continue battling the fire that has left thousands of residents displaced.
All schools and offices in the San Bernardino County Unified School District have reopened on Monday after they had closed down due to the fire.
Airport Fire
In Orange and Riverside Counties, the Airport Fire continues to burn over 23,000 acres.
The fire had burned 23,519 acres and was 31% contained as of Monday morning.
A team of over 2,000 fire personnel continue fighting the flames that have destroyed 160 structures and damaged 34 others. At least 14 injures have been reported due to the Airport Fire
*Have any California news you think I should know about? Drop a comment, message or email me jlty@protonmail.com
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