Gavin Newsom just gave California’s inmate firefighters a raise. They need more | Opinion

October 17, 2025
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Sacramento Bee / Robin Epley

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed landmark legislation this week, ensuring that inmate firefighters receive the federal minimum hourly wage for their difficult and sometimes deadly work. But after incarcerated firefighters are done serving their prison sentences, another daunting battle awaits them.

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