The term “gig economy” entered the popular lexicon a few years ago, referring to new industries that rely on technology and non-employee workers, such as the Uber and Lyft rides-on-call services. In fact, however, hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Californians work as “independent contractors,” ranging from emergency room...
Walters: Long Alliance of Democrats and Police Union Erodes
California’s crime rates soared in the 1970s and became a potent political issue that Republicans used, with great effect, against Democrats by accusing them of being soft on crime. More or less simultaneously, a Democratic Legislature and governor, Jerry Brown, enacted collective bargaining for California’s public employees. Those two seemingly...
Walters: School Districts Set Poor Example for Students
There’s bitter irony in the loud complaints from California school officials and unions – particularly in large urban districts – about not having enough money. Schools are supposed to be teaching our children how to become productive and responsible adults, but by overspending revenues, blaming others for their fiscal problems...
Walters: Pension Benefits Hinge on State Supreme Court Case
California’s public employee unions suffered a potentially heavy blow this year when the U.S. Supreme Court declared that they could not charge “fair share fees” to non-members. Union leaders and their political allies – essentially the entire Democratic Party – feared that the ruling (Janus vs. AFSCME) would entice many...
Jerry Brown’s Last Stand on Pension Reform
Six years ago, as California strained to emerge from the Great Recession, Gov. Jerry Brown worked a minor political miracle — a rebalancing of the massive state pension systems for public employees. Shuttling between unions and the strapped governments on the hook for public sector benefits and paychecks, Brown scaled...
Measure P Spending Passes $2M. McDonald Loans 'Yes' $450K.
Total spending on the Measure P parks sales tax vote is now over $2 million, according to the latest campaign spending reports. Heading into the Nov. 6 vote, supporters have significantly outraised and outspent their opponents. Yes on P raised $1.5 million compared to $343,000 by opponents through Oct 20....
Face-Off for State Schools Chief: Tony Thurmond vs. Marshall Tuck
CALmatters dives deep into the battle to elect the next state superintendent of public instruction with a video featuring Tony Thurmond and Marshall Tuck. The candidates talk about their credentials for the job, their passion for education, and where they stand on the issues. The video opens with the candidates talking...
Emails Show California Agency's Cozy Ties to Gas Tax Backers
SACRAMENTO — As the political battle to overturn California's gas tax increase intensified, the state transportation agency coordinated frequently with the public affairs firm working to block the repeal on behalf of unions, construction companies and local government groups, emails obtained by The Associated Press show. The California State Transportation...
Commentary: Two Arcane Ballot Measures Show Need for Reform
There’s a symbiotic relationship between two of the 11 statewide ballot measures facing voters next month, Propositions 8 and 11. Both would have voters decide very narrow union-management conflicts in two relatively small medical service sectors — with sponsors of both claiming that passage would reduce health care costs. And...
Opinion: Playbook for Labor in Today’s World
The anti-union ideologues were ecstatic this spring when the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31, tried to plunge a dagger in the heart of labor. As we saw in Janus, too often, old stereotypes, myths, falsehoods and attack ads, paid for by big monied...