The veto comes amid mounting criticism that Newsom is prioritizing political maneuvering over public safety.
In a move that has provoked backlash from fire unions and lawmakers alike, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill 1309, a bipartisan bill that would have required the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) to raise firefighter salaries to within 15% of average local fire department pay.
Newsom defended the veto, citing the potential for “significant cost pressures” on the state budget and warning that the bill would “circumvent the collective bargaining process” by imposing a statutory salary floor for a single department.
The veto coincides with Newsom’s push for Proposition 50, a constitutional amendment that would allow the state legislature to redraw congressional lines—bypassing California’s independent citizens’ redistricting commission.
The special election required to approve Proposition 50 is projected to cost around $282 million.
Firefighter advocates were incensed. “It’s highly disappointing and frustrating, especially when he vetoes the bill the day before we put six members on the memorial wall honoring fallen firefighters,” said Tim Edwards, president of Cal Fire’s Local 2881 union, in an interview with SFGATE.
The battle over Proposition 50 has drawn fierce partisan opposition. Critics say the measure is an aggressive Democratic gerrymander designed to weaken Republican-held districts.
Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called the proposal “insane” at a recent USC forum, arguing that dismantling voter-approved redistricting reforms “betrays the will of Californians who demanded fairness and independence.”
Charles T. Munger Jr., the main financial backer of the opposition campaign Protect Voters First, said Newsom is “spending hundreds of millions to undo transparency reforms voters fought for” while rejecting pay equity for firefighters.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has also joined the fight, leading the Stop Sacramento’s Power Grab committee opposing Prop 50. “It’s outrageous that Sacramento Democrats are throwing $282 million at a partisan map scheme while vetoing raises for the men and women who battle our wildfires,” McCarthy said in a recent campaign statement.
As wildfire seasons grow more extreme and personnel shortages persist, the governor’s veto sends a chilling message—one that many on the political right and fire lines see as misplaced priorities.
