Newsom Vetoes Bill Intended to Raise Cal Fire Pay

California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have closed long-standing pay disparities between Cal Fire firefighters and their local city and county counterparts. The veto came despite support from labor groups and firefighters who have long argued that Cal Fire personnel are underpaid compared to local city and county firefighters.

The controversial bill (Assembly Bill 1309) would have mandated that Cal Fire’s pay structure match the pay and benefits offered by local agencies performing similar types of work. The goal of the proposed legislation was to reduce turnover, boost recruitment, and offer more consistency in firefighter compensation across the state. Supporters of the bill argued that Cal Fire’s compensation and pay structure was lagging behind other agencies.  

Governor Newsom cited two main reasons for the veto. The first was usurping the collective bargaining process with legislative mandates. The second concern was financial. Newsome argued that mandating parity “without an identified, dedicated funding source” would put pressure on California’s finances.

Click here for more on the story from The Sacramento Bee and a copy of the Bill is posted below.