Opinion
Dear Editor,
Your recent article, “California communities can reduce wildfire damage by half. Here’s how,” is a powerful reminder that we already have the tools to protect our homes and neighborhoods from wildfire devastation. The UC Berkeley-led study makes it clear: home hardening and defensible space work. But knowing what works is only half the battle.
What’s often overlooked in the conversation is the cost and who is responsible for it. Upgrading infrastructure for wildfire resilience — such as retrofitting homes with fire-resistant materials and enhancing community-wide evacuation routes and water systems — requires significant investment. For many homeowners, particularly those in rural or lower-income areas, these costs can be prohibitive. Additionally, local governments may find the scale of investment needed to protect entire communities overwhelming.
We need a significant change in how the state of California distributes its wildfire mitigation funds. The majority of our state's budget is allocated yearly to fuel reduction projects, which are often located in remote wildlands. These projects do little to safeguard homes when fires approach populated areas. It's time to redirect those funds toward assisting homeowners and community leaders in implementing proven strategies — backed by science — right where the risk is highest.
We need grants, subsidies, and technical support for residents trying to harden their homes. We need funding for local governments to upgrade infrastructure and coordinate neighborhood-wide defensible space. And we need to treat wildfire resilience not as an individual burden, but as a shared responsibility.
Thank you for elevating this issue. With smart investments and community-driven action, we can turn the tide on wildfire destruction.
Jennifer Normoyle lives in Hillsborough, California.
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- Written by: Jennifer Normoyle
It has been months since Rep. Mike Thompson first met with leaders of Lake County’s hospitals, health services, nonprofit agencies and other vital Lake County agencies, departments and service providers to identify and quantify the damage that the “The Big Beautiful Bill” would visit upon our communities should the bill pass.
The meeting was followed by a news conference that provided accurate information about potential hospital closures and other far-reaching impacts the bill would have on our rural Lake County.
On July 4, 2025, House Republicans did pass the “Big Beautiful Bill.” Many consider it to be the most regressive federal legislation in recent memory.
Cutting more than $1 trillion from Medicaid and stripping some 12 million Americans (real people, not just numbers) of their health insurance, the bill drastically increases the federal deficit to deliver more tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans.
Prior to the passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill” damage to our vital services and economic stability were already underway.
Because of the current administration’s slash and trash mentality, our local food pantries experienced an immediate cease of funding.
Our local Head Start Programs and community programs utilizing AmeriCorps workers received notice to cease all activity and services immediately.
Public schools received notice that federal education money, already budgeted and obligated for the coming academic year, would be withheld.
With the diligent work of advocates, legal entities and state governments, some of the slashed funding was restored, partially restored or is in legal limbo pending appeals and court decisions.
Implementation of “The Big Beautiful Bill” compounded by extreme tariffs and previous cuts continues to eat away at the financial stability, infrastructure and services that Americans, including those who live in Lake County, hold near and dear.
The Lake County Democrats’ booth at the Lake County Fair gave all fairgoers an opportunity to identify which destructive elements of the “Big Beautiful Bill” were hurting their lives the most.
Poll takers were given three tickets and could vote for the top three issues they identified as the most harmful. Because of the sweeping nature of the bill, not all elements were identified in the poll and more than a few booth visitors wished there had been a category reflecting the bill’s harm to labor and labor unions.
Three hundred and seventeen individuals took time to consider the 10 options and cast their votes.
When the votes were counted, the issues doing the most harm were identified as:
1. Cuts to Medicaid and loss of Medicare coverage;
2. Tax dollars going to billionaires; .
3. Failure to protect our immigrants with due process;
4. Fair elections without interference;
5. Selling off public lands and parks;
6. Cuts to veteran services/ reduction of veteran service providers.
Our citizens want to be heard. They want government leaders to understand the harm that the “Big Beautiful (UGLY) Bill” is doing to their personal lives and how the bill rips apart the very fabric that makes America compassionate, stable and functional.
Be sure that you exercise every opportunity to make your voice heard.
Mary Borjon lives in Kelseyville, Calif.
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- Written by: Mary Borjon
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