Zeldin, Loeffler bring hope to California and a warning

Lee Zeldin and Kelly Loeffler gave a huge boost of confidence Wednesday to fire victims in LA who have been frustrated by delays.The EPA and SBA chiefs were in Pacific Palisades on their first visit to carry out President Donald Trump’s executive order on rebuilding the community.Both agencies have credibility with local residents, after moving swiftly at “Trump Speed” to clean up after the fire. The EPA cleared the hazardous waste of the Palisades and Eaton fires in 28 days, instead of 90.(The U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers also cleared the debris in seven months, instead of 18.)The SBA gave loans to many residents that were a crucial financial lifeline.Now, it will help residents “self-certify” their own rebuilding permits if local officials fail to act within 60 days.The officials also had a message for the state and local government: federal aid will be tied to reforms.Zeldin warned that Washington wants to see California making changes — from water management to forestry to emergency services — before sending more money.“In order to get your list of asks … there might be a reckoning and going through a list of reforms,” Zeldin told a roundtable of residents.California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, XCalifornia Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!California Post App: Download here!Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!Fitness guru Jillian Michaels, a local resident, agreed with that. She noted that California’s environmental regulations had likely prevented firefighters from extinguishing a January 1, 2025, blaze that became the Palisades Fire six days later.She wanted the federal government to cut through state and local red tape, and “establish conditions to protect the people of California against these kinds of regulations.”Zeldin later told reporters that Governor Gavin Newsom had pursued ...