Assemblymember David Tangipa (R-Clovis) speaks at a news conference in Sacramento Monday calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to convene a special session on the wildfires in Southern California. Photo via David Tangipa Facebook page

In the midst of the devastating Southern California fires, state Republicans held a news conference Monday afternoon at the west steps of the California state capitol building, calling for Gov. Gavin Newsom to hold a special session to address the state’s wildfire crisis. 

Behind the podium, a sign reading “Fireproof California” displayed five of the goals that the legislative Republicans were pursuing. 

— Fast-track wildfire prevention programs

— Increase penalties for arson

— Help Californians harden their homes

— Fully fund wildfire prevention

— Stabilize the insurance market

While several Republicans were critical of Newsom’s management of the fires, they were also in favor of working with Democrats to help California recover and grow.

Newly-elected Assemblymember David Tangipa of Clovis was among the 19 Republicans at the state capitol Monday.

Tangipa has first-hand experience with what some of the victims are going through, as his family lost their property in 2018 due to the Carr fire in Northern California. 

“We’ve witnessed it. We hear you,” Tangipa said at the podium. “You deserve answers, but most importantly, you deserve action.”

He continued to mention that the eight largest fires in California history have happened in the past five years. 

“We ask that you all join us and find the relief and the solutions needed to protect Californians — Californians now, Californians of the past and those of the future,” he said. 

Tangipa ended his speech with a call to action: regardless of one’s political beliefs, people need to come together and do what is best for California. 

“Fire does not ask for your registration when it shows up at your door,” Tangipa said. “Fire does not ask for your registration when it burns down your house when you leave everything behind. We demand action. We need action.”