Sacramento, CA…Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement on Sept. 5th following new details emerging on the Trump Administration’s plan to use military construction funds to build a border wall. The plan, which was released this week, will divert $8 million in funding to build the California National Guard’s 146th Airlift Wing flight simulator for C-130J pilots and aircrew members, a critical tool that is used to train and prepare National Guard pilots to provide swift response and assistance during wildfires and other emergencies.

“Instead of focusing on the real threats of wildfires, earthquakes and other natural or man-made disasters, the President is throwing away millions of dollars in critical funds so he can build a giant vanity project that will not make anyone safer. It’s totally backwards, and puts Californians’ safety at risk.”

The 146th Airlift Wing simulator would have trained pilots and aircrew members to fly C-130J planes to enhance their flying skills and reduce their risk during lifesaving and emergency missions in California and while deployed around the globe.

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