California Eases Regulations for Wildfire Recovery

California Governor Gavin Newsom has implemented a series of tax relief measures and executive orders to aid recovery efforts in Los Angeles County, where wildfires have caused extensive damage. The measures include a three-month extension for tax filing deadlines and the suspension of certain environmental regulations to expedite rebuilding efforts. Newsom's executive orders will lift requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act and the Coastal Act, aiming to streamline the permitting process for reconstruction. Critics argue that these regulatory rollbacks could compromise environmental protections and exacerbate the state's housing crisis. The estimated damages from the wildfires range between $135 billion and $150 billion, with around 12,000 structures affected. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has also vowed to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles to facilitate rapid recovery and reconstruction.