California Governor Gavin Newsom has formally requested $40 billion in federal aid to help with the recovery efforts following the devastating fires in Los Angeles.
However, the state’s finances are already stretched thin due to its significant spending on illegal immigrants. California is currently paying a staggering $9.5 billion annually for healthcare for undocumented residents.
Critics argue that this massive expenditure on illegal immigration has left the state ill-prepared to handle its natural disasters without relying heavily on federal assistance. Newsom’s request for $40 billion will be a test for both California’s strained budget and the Biden administration’s willingness to support the state’s recovery.
As the state faces growing fiscal challenges, many are questioning whether the money spent on healthcare for illegal immigrants could have been better allocated to fire prevention and recovery efforts.
