Governor Newsom Vetoes Pay Raise Bill for Firefighters
California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill aimed at increasing salaries for state firefighters, just months after the state’s most destructive wildfires ravaged parts of Los Angeles.
In a letter to the California Legislature, Newsom elaborated on his decision not to sign Congressional Bill 1309.
“The bill mandates that the Ministry of Forestry and Fire pay firefighters within 15 percent of the average salary of similar positions in local fire departments. It also requires an annual review of salary and benefits for chiefs in five designated departments,” Newsom stated.
“While I appreciate the intentions behind this bill, it would impose significant financial pressure on the state and sidestep the collective bargaining process. Salaries for state employees should be determined through negotiations that also consider other compensation elements like health insurance and pensions. Setting a minimum salary for employees in a single sector undermines this important process,” he added.
A legislator’s analysis estimated that if the bill had passed, the state would incur costs between $373 million and $609 million in the first year alone. Critics highlighted that “firefighters are increasingly at risk” amid worsening fire conditions in California.
Originally introduced by Republican Rep. Heath Flora as a bipartisan initiative, the bill sought to ensure that firefighters in the state’s Forestry Fire Department receive salaries comparable to other local departments.
Additionally, the Ministry of Human Resources was to investigate and report the compensation of fire chiefs from five departments by January 1, 2027.
The massive January fire resulted in at least $250 billion in damages, devastating thousands of acres and displacing numerous residents.
A report from the McCrystal Group, prepared for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, indicated that the county’s fire response struggles with staff shortages, outdated policies, and communication challenges.
Analysis from the Bay Area News Group pointed out that the firefighter-to-resident ratio in Los Angeles is less than one per 1,000 people. San Jose Fire Chief Jerry May noted earlier this year that the city, once a top contender for having one of the busiest fire departments in the U.S., now faces a severe staffing crisis.
Newsom himself acknowledged the staffing shortage at Cal Fire and initiated a recruitment campaign this summer, promoting it via a new website.
“As a former firefighter, this situation is particularly upsetting,” Flora said. “I’ve experienced the challenges firsthand. Our firefighters deserve a salary that reflects the gravity of their responsibilities,” he remarked.
A 2023 report from the California Department of Personnel Affairs found that the state’s firefighters are significantly lagging in compensation compared to local departments.
“It’s also crucial to note that state firefighters work more days annually than local counterparts — 156 versus 121. This needs recognition,” the report highlighted.
Nonetheless, Newsom contended that the proposed bill’s financial implications were too burdensome, despite the administration having allocated nearly $300 million for special elections aimed at overturning California’s Congressional Mapping Committee in response to a gain of five House seats by Texas.
