I have a pair of wildfire-related updates for you, John - one national and one local.

A month after the devastating wildfires, it is clear that families need more time to recover. The current March 10th deadline to apply for relief is simply impossible for families who are still waiting to clear the insurance red tape.

That’s why I joined the entire California delegation in asking the Small Business Administration and FEMA to extend their deadline to December 31st.

Our families need more time. And in their time of need, we’re simply asking for the help they deserve.

In addition, a bill I introduced while still in the Assembly that protects homeowners from future wildfires and helps lower insurance rates has become law in California through an Executive Order signed by Governor Newsom.

According to CAL FIRE, up to 90% of home ignitions occur because of embers, and this bill ensures ember-resistant zones are established as a buffer between and in front of all homes – keeping us safe, and reducing risks that drive up annual costs for Californians.

We’ve got a long way to go to get back to normalcy, John. But every day I’m working to ensure that Los Angeles and everyone who calls it home comes back stronger and healthier than before.

Laura