Beverly Press Park Labrea News: Friedman aims to help wildfire victims with two bills

On March 20, Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) announced two pieces of legislation aimed at helping victims of the January wildfires in a press conference held at Runyon Canyon Park, the epicenter of the Sunset fire.

The Don’t Penalize Victims Act already has bipartisan support, as the bill is co-led by Rep. Mike Ezell (R-Miss.). It would ensure donations from GoFundMe, other similar platforms and faith-based organizations would not be make disaster victims ineligible for FEMA relief benefits.

Additionally, Friedman has introduced the Stop Disaster Price Gouging Act, which seeks to rein in landlords and merchants who seek to take advantage of tragedies for financial gain.

“At a time that they’re picking through the wreckage of their homes and livelihoods, disaster victims shouldn’t also have to be aware of complex rules just to get the federal support they deserve, and they definitely should not be penalized for accepting charitable donations,” Friedman said. “They shouldn’t be punished for surviving a disaster, whether that’s by the government or by price gougers looking to make a quick buck. The bills I’m introducing … give families the peace of mind they deserve during critical times like rebuilding after a disaster.”

“Disaster victims shouldn’t have to choose between accepting help from their neighbors and receiving the federal assistance they desperately need,” Ezell said in a statement. “When disaster strikes, every dollar of assistance matters – we can’t let bureaucracy stand in the way of recovery. I’m proud to partner with Rep. Friedman to address these issues and ensure FEMA works better for the people we serve.”

Altadena Town Councilwoman Dot Wang, whose home was destroyed by the Eaton fire, spoke of the struggles her family has had getting government relief.

“Every day I’m just looking for that next step, like many of our community members,” Wang said. “Price gouging … further hurts us financially. Even in the FEMA process, my husband and I – we have two dogs and cats, we don’t have children – they will give us one bedroom. Imagine living with your spouse and everybody in one bedroom.”

Wang has only received $11,000 of a promised $43,000 from FEMA.

“We’re at a point where every dollar counts,” she added.

The anti-price gouging act, just introduced by Friedman, does not yet have bipartisan support.

“Los Angeles County received nearly 1,000 complaints about price gouging, with nearly 90% related to rent increases,” she said. “I do hope that we’ll have bipartisan support, because I want to point out that one of the states that [already has] its own price gouging rule is Florida, so you have red states and blue states like California recognizing that after [a] disaster, this has unfortunately been a problem.”

It would establish a $25,000 penalty for those who violate the act. All proceeds from penalties would go into a fund to support disaster victims.

FEMA has been the subject of potential funding cuts from the Trump administration. On March 24, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, “We’re going to eliminate FEMA.”

“We need a better FEMA,” Friedman said. “We need better processes for victims. This is not the time to be getting rid of the part of government that helps people after natural disasters, but that’s just what this administration is trying to do.”

Friedman was also one of seven members of the Californian Congressional delegation to author a March 26 letter chastising FEMA for its refusal to conduct post-wildfire soil testing.

“FEMA’s refusal to test for toxins in the soil after wildfire cleanup in Los Angeles County is unacceptable,” Friedman said. “Families deserve to know their homes are safe and free of dangerous chemicals. This is a break from decades of FEMA precedent – and it risks exposing entire communities to long-term health threats.”

Friedman made two appearances at political events on March 22, first at the March for Our Constitution Protest at the Wilshire Federal Building in Westwood, which houses the federal field offices for Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Passport Agency.

“The message we’re sending today is loud and clear. Americans won’t sit back while Trump upends our Social Security, access to affordable health care and makes our lives more expensive,” Friedman said. “We’ve seen what happens when good people stay silent. We’re done being quiet.”

She also attended the Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles dinner.

“There’s a concerted effort to demonize entire groups of people, particularly our transgender community and our LGBT community. So, it’s very important that we are there to stand alongside them and say, ‘We see you. We value you. We’re going to protect you as best we can, and we are with you,’” she said.