Wildfire Victims First

Not paid for by ratepayers

[Wildfire Victims First @WildfireVics1st]

NEW in @CalMatters: Creek Fire survivor Joe Denham says California can't wait any longer — reform means putting victims ahead of hedge funds, trial attorneys, and insurers who've profited while survivors waited. Read his story: https://t.co/dt7az0ggdb #WildfireVictimsFirst

[Wildfire Victims First @WildfireVics1st]

Ratepayers are already footing the bill. Now clean energy leaders are saying it too: reform can't wait. #WildfireVictimsFirst #CAleg

[Wildfire Victims First @WildfireVics1st]

Wildfire recovery shouldn’t be a choice between victims and families’ bills.

Reform can put victims first, strengthen accountability, and save Californians money at the same time.

The numbers speak for themselves. ⬇️

[Wildfire Victims First @WildfireVics1st]

NEW OP-ED: Clean energy leaders back Gov. Newsom's wildfire reform before the Aug. 31 deadline. Wildfires already add $41/month to the average PG&E bill. Reform curbs runaway payouts to hedge funds and trial attorneys. Ratepayers can't wait. #WildfireVictimsFirst #CAleg https://t.co/QnXB9nqLqj

[Wildfire Victims First @WildfireVics1st]

NEW: Gov. Newsom on the Senate Democrats' wildfire plan: "The insurance industry is going to do everything to ensure they get paid first. I'm not going to defend that." Victims First, not insurers first. #WildfireVictimsFirst #CAleg

[Wildfire Victims First @WildfireVics1st]

Even Gov. Newsom won't defend it: under the Senate Democrats' subrogation plan, insurers get paid before wildfire victims. "I'm not going to defend that," he says. Watch:

[Eytan Wallace @EytanWallace]

UPDATE: Gov. @GavinNewsom @CAgovernor was asked about his wildfire liability and fire-victim compensation plan — as well as the @CASenateDems’ proposal on the issue.

Newsom implied the Senate Democratic Caucus plan -- which allows subrogation -- the legal process where an insurance company pays your claim and then takes various steps to recoup those costs from the person or company, including utilities, responsible for the damage -- will allow "insurance companies to be paid before victims...I'm not going to defend that," said Newsom.

"The insurance industry is going to do everything to ensure they get paid first," Newsom continued.

When Newsom was asked if he thinks he could budge on subrogation, Newsom said "I don't."

"I assure you -- I promise you ... you are going to be back here in a matter of months with a new administration and a new legislature, and they are going to have to make tough choices. This is not easy."

See his full, unedited remarks below.

[Wildfire Victims First @WildfireVics1st]

NEW POLL: California voters are done waiting. 90% back fast claims for wildfire victims, 78% want trial attorney fees capped, 77% would vote against lawmakers who don't act. The numbers are clear. #WildfireVictimsFirst #CAleg

[Wildfire Victims First @WildfireVics1st]

NEW POLL: 90% of California voters back a fast-claims process for wildfire victims. 78% support capping trial attorney fees. 75% support banning insurers from selling victims' claims to hedge funds. Voters are clear: fix this system, now. #WildfireVictimsFirst #CAleg https://t.co/b6rwjmrpxW

[Wildfire Victims First @WildfireVics1st]

.@CAFirefighters — 37,000 members strong — are backing @CAgovernor Newsom's wildfire recovery reform: victims are "caught up in lawsuits and protracted insurance processes, leaving them without relief." We couldn't agree more. #WildfireVictimsFirst #CAleg

[California Building Industry Association @CaliforniaBIA]

The status quo is unacceptable. California’s wildfire survivors deserve to come first. The home building community supports accountability and a clear path to recovery for those affected.

[Wildfire Victims First @WildfireVics1st]

#wildfirevictimsfirst

[Governor Newsom Press Office @GovPressOffice]

NEW: California firefighters back @CAGovernor Gavin Newsom’s plan to fix the broken wildfire compensation system.

Under the plan:
👥 Survivors get paid FIRST
❌ NO bonuses for the utility executives responsible
🛑 Stop Wall St hedge funds from profiting off victims
💰 Utility shareholders fund 2 years of credits for electric bills
🏠 Homeowners get help hardening their homes

[Wildfire Victims First @WildfireVics1st]

ONE WEEK LEFT. California's legislative session ends August 31 — and lawmakers still have a chance to fix a wildfire recovery system that leaves victims last in line. 275+ organizations are calling for reform, fast. #WildfireVictimsFirst #CAleg

[Wildfire Victims First @WildfireVics1st]

"It's untenable. The status quo is not going to work." Gov. Newsom, on a wildfire recovery system where victims consistently come last. #WildfireVictimsFirst #CAleg

[Wildfire Victims First @WildfireVics1st]

Where does the money really go? Energy customers paid $39 BILLION for wildfires over the last decade. Only 37% reached victims directly. The other 63 cents of every dollar went to trial attorneys, insurers, and hedge funds.

[Wildfire Victims First @WildfireVics1st]

$39 BILLION. That's what energy customers paid for wildfires over the past decade. Only 37% reached victims directly — the rest went to trial attorneys, insurers, and hedge funds.

[Wildfire Victims First @WildfireVics1st]

NEW: Gov. Newsom on California's broken wildfire recovery system: "Victims need to be first in line, not these other groups." We agree — it's time to end the extraction economy built on survivors' backs. #WildfireVictimsFirst #CAleg

[Wildfire Victims First @WildfireVics1st]

"More than a year after the devastating fires in Los Angeles County, many small businesses and homeowners are still waiting for financial settlements they're owed." —Stuart Waldman, President & CEO, @BizFed #WildfireVictimsFirst #CAleg

[Wildfire Victims First @WildfireVics1st]

Billboard lawyers are taking up to 40% of wildfire victims' settlements. That's money that should go toward rebuilding homes and lives — not legal fees. #WildfireVictimsFirst #CAleg

[Wildfire Victims First @WildfireVics1st]

Our broken wildfire recovery system is making housing and rent more expensive... Housing providers and renters deserve better." —Tom Bannon, President & CEO, California Apartment Association. #WildfireVictimsFirst #CAleg

[Wildfire Victims First @WildfireVics1st]

Improving affordability and strengthening California's business climate requires confronting the growing costs created by the state's wildfire recovery system." —Ahmad Thomas, CEO, Silicon Valley Leadership Group. #WildfireVictimsFirst #CAleg

[Wildfire Victims First @WildfireVics1st]

Don't let lawmakers leave Sacramento without solving the wildfire crisis and paying victims first. #wildfirevictimsfirst #caleg