Newsom Spends $300M On Redistricting While Denying Firefighters Pay Raise Over Budget Concerns

Fast Fact: California Gov. Gavin Newsom spent nearly $300M on redistricting plans but declined to give firefighters a pay raise because of budget concerns

Newsom greenlit a special election on Proposition 50, a controversial ballot measure that will redraw California's congressional maps to all but eliminate republican representation in congress.

The November 4th vote is costing taxpayers $282 million at a time when California is facing budget shortfalls.

Prop 50, dubbed the "Election Rigging Response Act" by opponents, wants to amend the state constitution to allow changes to congressional district boundaries.
Newsom says he's redrawing the maps because Texas passed redistricting, which could possibly hand the GOP five more seats in congress.

Newsom wants to eliminate any advantage republicans have in congress, so he is adjusting the maps to eliminate 5 GOP seats in California.

The $300 million dollar price tag covers printing ballots, mailing voter guides, and staffing polling sites – a figure that rivals the state's entire annual spending on certain wildfire prevention programs.

This as Newsom just vetoed Assembly Bill 1309- denying firefighters a wage adjustment to align their pay with local departments.

The decision comes during California's ongoing wildfire crisis, including the Los Angeles-area infernos earlier this year that scorched tens of thousands of acres and more than 7,000 structures.

Fire union leaders called the veto "disappointing and frustrating," saying that CAL FIRE personnel earn 20-30% less than their municipal counterparts for equally hazardous work.
In his veto message, Newsom cited budget constraints, saying the state can't afford to give firefighters a raise.

Critics say Newsom cares more about politics than those that protect California from fires.