Golden State Today

Governor Gavin Newsom has taken measures to protect survivors of the Los Angeles firestorms from price gouging. Through executive orders issued in January, the governor extended prohibitions on price increases for essential goods and services in affected areas.

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) has already acted under these protections by filing charges against real estate agents accused of attempting to exploit families displaced by the Eaton Fire. Additionally, over 650 warning letters have been sent to hotels and landlords regarding potential price gouging.

Governor Newsom stated, "In the days following the Los Angeles firestorms, we worked quickly to protect Los Angeles survivors from any form of exploitation. The state has the tools in place to not only block price gouging during this emergency but also to prosecute bad actors."

Attorney General Rob Bonta urged residents to report incidents of price gouging: “In the face of natural disaster, we should be coming together to help our neighbors, not attempting to profit off of their pain.”

Violators face criminal prosecution with penalties including imprisonment and fines up to $10,000. Civil enforcement actions can also be pursued.

To aid recovery efforts, Governor Newsom has implemented various measures such as streamlining rebuilding processes and providing tax relief for those impacted by the fires. This includes postponing tax deadlines and suspending penalties on late property tax payments.

Temporary housing solutions are being expedited through executive orders that facilitate construction and suspend fees for mobile home parks. Mortgage relief is also being provided through collaboration with financial institutions.

Debris removal is prioritized with fast action directed towards cleanup efforts. Executive orders aim at mitigating risks like mudslides and flooding in burned areas.

The state government launched CA.gov/LAfires as a central resource hub for those affected by the wildfires. Assistance applications can be submitted online or via FEMA's hotline or smartphone application.