Featured News from the Press
Five months after Maui fires, housing remains Lahaina’s biggest challenge in rebuilding efforts
Five months since the deadly wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii, providing housing for displaced residents continues...
What happens after the fire
NPR's Pien Huang speaks to Jennifer Gray Thompson, founder and CEO of After the Fire USA, about what to expect from long-term recovery after a wildfire.
In Hawaii, concerns over ‘climate gentrification’ rise after devastating Maui fires
In Hawaii, concerns over ‘climate gentrification’ rise after devastating Maui fires...
NBC News Now: Nov 24, 2023. Dasha Burns
Hawaii Gov. Green Announces $150M fund for fire victims
Gentrification by Fire
Gentrification by Fire The West’s new climate is exacerbating housing inequality in the quintessentially blue state of California
Greenville rising from the ashes 2 years after Dixie Fire
Greenville rising from the ashes 2 years after Dixie Fire. The Dixie Fire tore through Greenville in 2021 and incinerated most of downtown.
Sonoma Group Forged in Tubbs Fire Helping Other Wildfire Victims Cope
Amid the crumpled, twisted remains of the Plumas County town of Greenville, few people stirred, ...
Amid the crumpled, twisted remains of the Plumas County town of Greenville, few people stirred, ...
Sonoma Valley resident, After the Fire CEO joining Rep. Mike Thompson at Biden’s State of the Union address
Stay Connected: Latest Updates from After The Fire’s Facebook page
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Congratulations! 🌸![]()
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County of Maui 💙![]()
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First building permit from County Recovery Permit Center issued to Lahaina couple
www.mauirecovers.org
Contractor 4LEAF operating center that opened less than three weeks ago
HR 5863 scheduled for Floor Debate and possible vote afterwards. ![]()
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Tuesday, 5:15pm EST so 2:15pm PST![]()
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We will post links to watch Floor live.![]()
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Congressman Mike Thompson ![]()
Rep. Doug LaMalfa ![]()
Jennifer Gray Thompson
Disaster Tax Bill Update![]()
5.17.2024![]()
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Edited to add: House Floor Debate will be this Tuesday at 5:15pm with possible floor vote right after.![]()
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HR 5863 will advance to the House Floor for a vote next week! 👏👏👏![]()
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Please see link below if you wish to access the PDF of HR 5863, as amended.![]()
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Yes, the Ways and Means amendments are included.![]()
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This is a huge deal. We aren't done yet, but this is another DC Miracle and like a lot of miracles, has been the result of countless hours of work from fire survivors, delegates from After The Fire USA, and (importantly) BIPARTISAN leadership from Congressman Mike Thompson and Rep. Doug LaMalfa. 🇺🇲🤝💪![]()
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We are stronger together.![]()
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Jennifer Gray Thompson will be in DC next week and reporting back to you.![]()
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#megafire #wildfire #hr5863 #SupportSurvivors #leanin ![]()
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Link to Bill:![]()
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docs.house.gov/floor/
We love a Community Land Trust and applaud the work of the Lahaina Community Land Trust to ensure keeping the land locally owned.![]()
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CLTs can be a game changer for equitable rebuilds while also providing land and culture resiliency for generations. ![]()
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Fannie Mae is wonderful support for CLTs as they've innovated for disaster communities and leaned into megafire recovery since our fires in 2017. One innovation here is creating a mortgage that allows nonprofits, including CLTs, to provide shares to community at the same rate as single family dwellings and avoiding the predatory lending issues seen in MHPs.![]()
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Innovating post disaster is necessary and can be very hard. Having the vision is key. Lahaina and all of Maui deserve our respect and donor dollars to succeed. One place to begin is with the Lahaina Community Land Trust! Donate if you can.A big Mahalo to our Lahaina Community Land Trust Advisory Board members, for accepting the kuleana to help steer our activities and keep us true to our mission to keep Lahaina lands in Lahaina hands . The members of the inaugural LCLT Advisory Board are: Ginger Prince, Kanoe Steward, Kalamaʻehu Takahashi, Audrey Cabrera, Tonata Lolesio, Kai Keahi, Tamara Paltin, and Kaipo Kekona. Also pictured are Board of Directors Mikey Burke, Carolyn Wong Auweloa, and Kapali Keahi.![]()
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LCLT Advisory Board consists of community members who resonate with the values and mission of the organization, aiming to safeguard the cultural heritage and natural beauty of Lahaina for generations to come. These individuals represent the diverse tapestry of our community, bringing a wealth of experience, perspectives, and insights to the table.![]()
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“Our Advisory Board members are trusted leaders in various spheres of the Lahaina community, each possessing a unique understanding of our town’s rich history, culture, and aspirations,” said Mikey Burke, President of the Lahaina Community Land Trust Board of Directors. “Their role is pivotal in fostering open dialogue and ensuring that the voices of Lahaina residents are heard and respected in the decision-making process.”![]()
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The primary responsibilities of the Advisory Board include:![]()
-Providing input on key decisions regarding LCLT priorities, land use, and management strategies.![]()
-Facilitating two-way communication between the interests of the community and the LCLT Board of Directors.![]()
-Offering valuable perspectives on how land-related decisions impact the diverse communities that comprise Lahaina.![]()
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“LCLT is committed to the development of a community real estate ownership model that truly puts the values and needs of Lahaina first, and that fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment in the community over lands held by the trust” said Carolyn Wong-Auweloa, Board of Directors Vice President. “We will continue to develop a collective governance system, rooted in the ʻike of our ancestors and inclusive of our diverse community as we grow. This is just the first step.”
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DISASTER TAX BILL UPDATE![]()
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THOMPSON SECURES HISTORIC DISCHARGE PETITION ON FIRE VICTIMS TAX RELIEF BILL![]()
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May 16, 2024![]()
Press Release![]()
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The first successful petition of its kind in nine years, Thompson helps force a vote on tax relief for California wildfire victims![]()
Washington – Yesterday, Rep. Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04) and Rep. Greg Steube (FL-17) led a bipartisan group of 218 Members of Congress to successfully advance a discharge petition which will force House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act (H.R. 5863) to the House floor for a vote. The bill would exempt thousands of qualified wildfire victims in California, including PG&E fire victims, from having to pay federal income tax on their settlement money or pay tax on attorney fees that are included in the settlement. This relief would also apply retroactively to qualified victims. ![]()
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“Fire survivors have been through enough in the wake of losing their homes and livelihoods to wildfires. It’s wrong to tax them on the settlement money meant to help them rebuild their lives,” said Thompson. “Today’s historic discharge petition reaffirms the House’s strong, bipartisan support for survivors and sends a clear message to Republicans who have stopped this bill in the Senate: It’s time to work with us to pass much-needed relief for disaster victims.” ![]()
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See link below for more information. ![]()
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⚠️👏⚠️👏⚠️👏⚠️![]()
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We are holding tight to gratitude and cautious optimism.![]()
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Thank you to Rep. Thompson who secured every single Democrat and Rep. Steube who secured enough GOP votes to reach the threshold. Thank you to Rep. Doug LaMalfa who has continued to work with Thompson in a bipartisan manner for fire survivors. ![]()
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To be clear, this is an important step but it still needs to pass the House ad a stand alone and then the Senate. Our CEO Jennifer Gray Thompson will be in DC next week, pounding on doors (politely) and advocating for you in both the House and Senate. ![]()
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Together we DO![]()
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#hr5863 #supportsurvivors #megafire #wildfire ![]()
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Thompson Secures Historic Discharge Petition on Fire Victims Tax Relief Bill
mikethompson.house.gov
Washington – Yesterday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) and Rep. Greg Steube (FL-17) led a bipartisan group of 218 Members of Congress to successfully advance a discharge petition which will force House ...