Every year, billions of dollars in state tax money flows directly from the state to local governments to support essential services, including police and fire. Thanks to the state budget shortfall, and the politics at the Capitol, local government's piece of the pie is about to get a lot smaller.
Most working Californians see the current economic crisis as a challenge to be met with shared sacrifice, tough choices and resilience. A few, however, take a more cynical view - they see our collective struggle as an opportunity to score a political victory. This cynicism is at the heart of a renewed attack on your retirement security.
A firefighter cutting fire lines overnight was airlifted out of the LA County mountains this morning, as the battle continues against the deadly Station Fire. Nine other firefighters have been injured fighting the 157,000 acre blaze, which is now the 10th largest since 1932. Two firefighters have lost their lives battling the fire, which is now 56% contained, but still active and dangerous
Firefighters are earning horn-tooting, sign-waving thanks from grateful Santa Barbara County residents for saving hundreds of homes in the sprawling Jesusita Fire. Area firefighters returned the complement, pointing to diligent advance preparation and early evacuation as critical to their success. More than 3,000 first responders have responded to the blaze, which has charred some 9,000 acres and is currently 80 percent contained.
A few Southern California fire chiefs are responding to budget and weather concerns by trying to rethink long-standing public safety policies on ordering mass evacuations in a wildfire. The so-called "Stay and Defend" policy is drawing fire from labor and management.
By accepting you will be accessing a service provided by a third-party external to https://staging.iaff1775.org/