SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Homeowners may see a new fee to cover firefighting costs under a proposal in the new state budget.

On Thursday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to announce the plan when introducing the new proposed spending plan.

"We think it's a huge deal for all of Californians," said Lou Paulson, president of the firefighters' union.

Paulson said the governor's plan will give them more tools and more manpower to fight big blazes.

Homeowners would each see an increase of about $10 to $12 in insurance each year.

"In large-scale incidents, you may not have the fire station around the corner responding to your house. You may get somebody from another station because that station is up fighting a fire somewhere else," Paulson said.

Even though it's a small fee, some are opposed to another fee for something people are already taxed on.

"I don't think increasing any fees in a declining market is a good idea," homeowner Karin Libbee said. "People are struggling to pay their mortgages."

Still others said it's a small price to pay for better fire coverage, even if they never need it.

"Twelve dollars is a minimal amount to help firefighters, for all they do for us," homeowner Ken Hocker said.