LA Times owner blames mayor for cutting fire department budget ahead of wildfires: ‘Competence matters’
Owner of the Los Angeles Times reminded dr. Pat Soon-Shiong tracks how “competence matters” regarding LA Mayor Karen Bass during the ongoing Pacific Palisades fires.
As the wildfires continued to rage through Los Angeles County on Wednesday, Soon-Shiong directed his X followers to his newspaper for live coverage of the situation while appearing to criticize Bass’ handling of the city before the crisis.
“Our hearts go out to those who have lost their homes and are seeking shelter. The LA fires are unfortunately no surprise, but the mayor has cut the LA Fire Department’s budget by $23 million. And the reports of empty hydrants raise serious questions. Competence is essential… Follow @latimes for live coverage in conjunction with @Spectrum. Live cam coverage will give our readers a real-time view of the fires, and the coverage is open to all Angelenos Stay safe.” wrote Soon-Shiong.
CALIFORNIA FIRES RAGE THROUGH LOS ANGELES COUNTY, FORCING THOUSANDS TO EVACUATE THEIR HOMES
Fox News Digital reached out to the LA Times for further comment.
Although Soon-Shiong claimed that Bass cut $23 million from the fire department’s budget, the LAFD’s actual budget was cut for about 17 million dollars. However, Bass’ original budget proposal sought to cut $23 million.
Bass was heavily criticized after it was reported that she was out of the country in Africa when the fires started on Tuesday. He is currently returning to California.
LA Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong said mismanagement during the ongoing wildfires raises “serious questions” about local leadership. (Left: (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic), Right: (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images))
Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Rick Caruso personally blamed Bass for the forest firesclaiming that mismanagement was the reason they got out of control.
“There is no water in Palisades. Water is not coming out of the fire hydrants. This is absolutely mismanagement by the city. It’s not the firemen’s fault, it’s the city’s fault,” Caruso said.
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“We have a mayor who is out of the country, we have a city that is burning, and there are no resources to put out the fire,” added Caruso. “It looks like we’re in a third world country here.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has been criticized for the city’s response to the wildfires. (Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images | Photo by Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty Images)
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergencywhich caused thousands of evacuations. The fires are not yet localized.
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