Washington First, Now Sacramento : But can state politicians move as quickly?

It was impressive. The Clinton Administration and Congress moved with speed and efficiency in response to the nation’s costliest natural disaster. Less than four weeks after the Northridge earthquake devastated vast parts of Los Angeles, Congress authorized $8.6 billion in aid. It was indeed, as President Clinton said Saturday when he signed the bill, “the most comprehensive national response ever to a region experiencing a natural disaster.”

OK, so you cynics out there say what this shows mainly is that Clinton already has his eye on reelection and on California’s 54 electoral votes. Fair enough, but the bottom line is that California’s delegation, with Clinton’s support, has shepherded the most federal aid ever for a single U.S. disaster. And that’s something.

THE FEDERAL CHECK: It’s too bad that the federal aid--$8.6 billion plus $900 million already spent--doesn’t cover the whole bill. Losses stemming from the 6.8 earthquake on Jan. 17 have been estimated by Gov. Pete Wilson’s office at between $13 billion and $20 billion. Wilson has put the state’s share of the repair costs at $1.9 billion and local governments’ at $135 million. Private insurers are expected to cover $2.5 billion.

A good chunk of the federal aid--$4.6 billion--will go to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which under the very able guidance of James Lee Witt has been the central coordinating agency for federal relief. The $8.6 billion will be used for housing aid and the reconstruction of highways, schools and other public facilities as well as for loans to offset damage suffered by renters, homeowners and businesses.

Congress also included a controversial denial of long-term assistance to illegal immigrants--aid extending more than 90 days. That was a politically necessary compromise. However, it is not too much to ask that the “reasonable steps” required by the bill to determine the legal residency of long-term beneficiaries be fully monitored. There must be no discrimination based on race or ethnicity.

THE STATE’S TURN: Now Sacramento must turn its attention, quickly, to raising more funds for relief, repairs and rebuilding. The most fiscally responsible approach is pay-as-you-go, adding, on a temporary basis, a few cents to the price of a gallon of gasoline and a quarter-cent to the sales tax. Revenues from the temporary gas tax hike would be for vitally needed seismic safety retrofitting of bridges and overpasses. The sales tax increase would go for other earthquake repairs.

The challenge to state legislators is to act as swiftly as Congress and the Administration, which have set an example of decisive response to a natural disaster. The spotlight’s on Sacramento now.