Assembly urges president to reverse U.S. Forest Service cuts, adopts AJR 10

The California State Assembly unanimously adopted Assembly Joint Resolution 10 (AJR 10), urging the President of the United States to reverse recent staffing and funding cuts at the U.S. Forest Service and to protect federal programs for wildfire mitigation and forest management.

Assemblymember Robert Rogers, author of the resolution, told colleagues AJR 10 "calls on the president of The United States to reverse his cuts to the US Forest Service." In floor remarks Rogers said federal reductions have undermined staffing and the agency’s ability to manage wildfire risk; he described the federal actions as jeopardizing public safety and local economies.

Lawmakers from both parties spoke in support. Assemblymember Bennett said California has more national forest land than any other state and stressed the role of national forests as carbon sinks and economic drivers. Assemblymember Hart highlighted Los Padres National Forest and said understaffing “means fewer firefighters when wildfires strike” and slower restoration and maintenance work. Several members noted widely reported workforce reductions at the Forest Service; multiple speakers cited a figure of roughly 3,400 federal positions cut.

Some members emphasized that federal funding and staffing is one element of a broader set of forest-management responsibilities that also involve state and local action. Leader Gallagher urged renewed focus on responsible forest management and said active management, including prescribed burns and timber harvest where appropriate, is necessary to reduce wildfire risk.

The Assembly opened the roll on the resolution and recorded the vote: Aye 67, No 0. The resolution was adopted. AJR 10 is a formal request to federal officials; it does not itself alter state statute or funding levels.