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California lawmakers are planning to create a $25 million fund to legally challenge the decisions made by the Trump administration. Democratic leaders in the state had decided shortly after the election to start discussing strategies to protect California’s progressive policies.
Written by Shawn Hubler
The government of California will have a special meeting on Monday to talk about passing laws that will help protect the state from possible actions by the administration of Donald J. Trump. Governor Gavin Newsom mentioned the idea of creating a fund of $25 million to support legal action against the federal government.
Before winning the election, President-elect Trump and other Republicans made it clear that they would focus on overturning key policies in California, such as environmental protections, safeguards for immigrants, civil rights laws, and abortion access. Democratic governors nationwide are worried that Trump’s second term will be more organized and less limited.
The Democratic leaders in California have been preparing for the possibility of another term for President Trump for over a year. Shortly after the election, they announced that they would start meeting early this month to create plans to protect California from the policies of the Trump administration.
Governor Newsom stated on Monday that he is willing to collaborate with the new administration and hopes for President Trump’s success in representing all Americans. However, if there is any excessive use of power, endangerment of lives, or infringement on rights and freedoms, actions will be taken.
The litigation fund is intended to cover costs for legal assistance within the state’s Justice Department and regulatory agencies in order to contest unlawful actions by the federal government in court and implement measures to minimize possible harm. This information was provided by the governor’s office.
The suggested $25 million amount is much lower than the approximately $42 million that California paid for legal battles against the federal government in the first Trump administration, with over 120 lawsuits filed. This smaller amount, a small portion of the state’s nearly $300 billion yearly budget, shows worries about potential financial difficulties. Lawmakers in California faced challenges in balancing the budget this year.
The number mentioned is a reference to the various areas where California’s Democrats anticipate the Trump administration may target the state. Governor Newsom has promised to offer refunds to qualifying residents who purchase electric vehicles if President Trump eliminates the $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs. Additionally, the governor has suggested the creation of a potential fund for disaster relief to help those affected by floods and wildfires in case President Trump decides to withhold federal assistance from California, a state prone to natural disasters.
In California, health insurance coverage is provided to low-income residents regardless of their immigration status through the state’s own Medicaid program. This program has been targeted by the upcoming administration as well.
The fund’s amount indicates how well California has managed to protect its residents from attempts to relax state regulations during and after President Trump’s first term. It also suggests that Democratic states will collaborate to oppose President Trump.
Shawn Hubler is located in Sacramento and reports on news, policy developments, and notable figures in California. With over forty years of experience, she is an experienced journalist. Learn more about Shawn Hubler.
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