California governor weighs fate of wildfire prevention bills
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - With an urgency sparked by two consecutive years of deadly fires, California lawmakers have sent to Gov. Jerry Brown a collection of proposed laws to bolster prevention efforts and the readiness of residents, along with a controversial plan in which utility companies could pass some wildfire-related costs onto customers.
The breadth of the public policy proposals that won final approval late Friday - including efforts to increase defensible space around homes and buildings, and a mandate for backup batteries in garage door openers that hinder a fast getaway when the power is knocked out - offers a reflection of how deeply the devastation has been felt by Californians and their elected representatives in Sacramento.
"We're angry and
