After much advocacy from Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), community and business leaders and Paradise residents, the Governor signed the $202 billion budget Monday evening that continues the promised $7.3 Million to Paradise Irrigation District. This funding is critical to bringing clean water to residents for rebuilding efforts.

The Governor took the money out of his May revise budget proposal, but the funding was affirmed by the final budget.

“Camp Fire survivors spoke up loud and clear. I thank the people of Paradise for their strength and courage to continue the fight to rebuild their Town,” said Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama). “I also want to thank my legislative colleagues for their continued support of Paradise.”

Assemblyman Gallagher stated, “It’s ridiculous that this was such a budget battle to begin with. The Town of Paradise has already suffered through so much; there was no reason for the Governor to threaten their ability to rebuild. That being said, I’m pleased with the outcome and will continue to protect and defend our ability to recover from this devastating fire.”

In November 2018, PG&E’s faulty electrical lines sparked a raging fire that decimated the Town of Paradise and killed 84 residents. Since this deadly fire, citizens have combed through rubbles of their destroyed homes and businesses for precious keepsakes, cleared their properties and began rebuilding their lives.

Without water, the rebuilding of the Town of Paradise would have come to a screeching halt.

Butte County Supervisor and Camp Fire Survivor Doug Teeter previously said, “No water = no town.”