When the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare, was awaiting final congressional action in 2010, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in a speech to county officials, uttered 24 words that have haunted her ever since. Referring to the controversies that surrounded the groundbreaking legislation, she said, “But we have to...
Lawmaker Aims to Strip Cap on Freelancer Assignments in California
SACRAMENTO — Bowing to intense criticism, the author of a sweeping new California labor law now wants to amend the statute to eliminate any cap on the number of assignments freelance journalists can take. Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego, said she will seek to remove a 35-submission limit on the...
Steak Dinners, Secret Donors: How the Tech Caucus Is Courting Silicon Valley With Charity
On a recent afternoon, more than a dozen California lawmakers gathered to discuss thorny issues impacting a state that is the cradle of technological innovation — but also suffering from wildfires, aging infrastructure, and vast economic inequality. On the agenda: how to maintain wireless phone service during emergencies; how to...
The New Thing for California Politicians? Sweet Charity
The California Legislature’s Latino Caucus recently circulated a memo offering a potential perk for members: A trip to Cuba to learn about “culture, history and possibly government structure and policy making.” The caucus’ nonprofit foundation, the memo said, would help pick up the tab. A visit to Israel for the...
Judge Holds California Freelancers to State's New Labor Law
SACRAMENTO — A federal judge will not temporarily exempt freelance journalists and photographers from California's broad new labor law, saying they waited too long to challenge restrictions that they fear could put some of them out of business. U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez in Los Angeles denied the temporary restraining...
Risks, Rewards, and Robots: The Future of Work in California
Are robots coming for California’s jobs? In today’s increasingly automated economy, that’s certainly the fear. Technology has always generated economic churn, destroying some jobs and creating others. Already advances have generated a whole new sector of “gig” employment, and deeply disrupted other workplaces, from brick-and-mortar bookstores to newspapers to travel...
Risks, Rewards, and Robots: The Future of Work in California
Are robots coming for California’s jobs? In today’s increasingly automated economy, that’s certainly the fear. Technology has always generated economic churn, destroying some jobs and creating others. Already advances have generated a whole new sector of “gig” employment, and deeply disrupted other workplaces, from brick-and-mortar bookstores to newspapers to travel...
Walters: The Darker Side of Regulation
Assembly Bill 1133 would appear to be one of the least important of the 700-plus measures that the Legislature sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom in the final days of its 2019 session. Sponsored primarily by Anheuser-Busch and the Teamsters Union, AB 1133 would allow brewers to provide, free of charge, up...
Newsom Rocks the Gig Economy, Signs AB 5 Labor Bill
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday signed sweeping labor legislation that aims to give wage and benefit protections to California rideshare drivers at companies like Uber and Lyft and to workers across other industries. The closely watched proposal could have national implications as lawmakers, businesses and unions confront the...
Bill Giving Protections to 'Gig Workers' Sent to Governor
SACRAMENTO — State lawmakers sent Gov. Gavin Newsom a bill Wednesday that would give new wage and benefit protections to workers at so-called gig economy companies such as Uber and Lyft where people pick up jobs on their own schedule. The 56-15 Assembly vote marked a victory for labor unions...