[Source: CalMATTERS] When might Californians get more details about Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to enact a windfall profits tax on oil companies, which newly elected state lawmakers are set to consider in a special legislative session beginning on Dec. 5? The specifics of the proposal aren’t likely to surface until the start of the special Read More…
Category: Legislative Issues
California could phase out fracking, other oil drilling under bill headed for first test in Legislature
[Source: KQED] Legislation that would gradually phase out fracking and other extraction methods that account for most of California’s petroleum production faces its first big test in Sacramento on Tuesday. The nine-member Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee is set to vote on a proposal, Senate Bill 267 (Bill Text – SB-467 Oil and gas: Read More…
Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager declares victory in state Senate race
[Source: Los Angeles Times] Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager declared victory Wednesday in the race for the 30th Senate District seat, which stretches from Century City to South L.A., after amassing a large early lead in the vote count against six other candidates. Kamlager (D-Los Angeles), who represents the 54th District in the state Assembly, secured 66% Read More…
Senator Patricia Bates reintroduces measure to strengthen Prop. 13 and end abuses
[Source: Orange County Breeze] Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced today that she has reintroduced legislation to correct an outdated interpretation of property “change of ownership” that has been part of the long running debate around commercial property and Proposition 13 (the 1978 initiative that limited property tax increases). “Proposition 13 ensures that property taxes Read More…
California adopts definition of microplastics in drinking water
[Source: The National Law Review] In accordance with deadlines set in 2018 legislation, the California State Water Resources Control Board (Board) has adopted a definition for “microplastics” that will be used in testing of drinking water for microplastics. The Board was required, on or before July 1, 2020, to adopt a definition of microplastics in Read More…
Struggling businesses face billions in increased taxes
[Source: CalChamber] 2020’s recipe has proven to be equal parts unpredictable and incalculable with a heaping helping of calamity and lest we forget the generous scoop of crisis. Despite this year’s twists and turns one constant remains–California’s turbulent business climate. Unemployment figures wax and wane near Depression Era levels while certain market sectors close, partially Read More…
SB 1383 should be rejected
[Source: Fox&Hounds] As part of the recent budget deal struck last weekend between the Legislature and the Governor, SB 1383 (Jackson) would create a massive expansion of protected leave under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA). The bill came into print at 9pm on June 23 and was heard about the same time a day Read More…
A new skirmish in ‘tort wars’
[Source: CalMatters] No session of the California Legislature would be complete without at least one skirmish in the decades-long conflict known to Capitol insiders as “tort wars” — and this year is no different even though the COVID-19 pandemic dominates political consciousness. A tort is, as one dictionary defines it, “a wrongful act or an Read More…
Predictable scheduling law not justified in California
[Source: Chris Micheli] This year, there is another effort to enact a “predictable scheduling” mandate on California employers, SB 850 (Leyva), which many believe would impose an unfair, one-size-fits-all, scheduling mandate on retail and food employers that penalizes these employers with “additional pay” for making changes to their employees’ schedule. Some of the concerns with Read More…