[Source: Los Angeles Business Journal] The state Legislature on Thursday approved a minimum wage hike to $15 an hour for all employers in California by 2023, sending the bill to Gov. Jerry Brown for his expected signature on Monday. Both houses approved the wage-hike bill on largely partisan votes of 26-12 in the Senate and Read More…
Month: March 2016
California lawmakers weigh nation’s highest entry level wage
[Source: Associated Press] California state lawmakers are poised to enact the nation’s highest statewide minimum wage on Thursday, with gradual increases to $15 by 2022. Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic legislative leaders are promoting the boost as a matter of economic justice, and as an example to a nation struggling with a growing divide between Read More…
California Assembly OKs measure to raise minimum wage to $15
[Source: ABC News] The California Assembly on Thursday green-lighted a plan that would create the highest statewide minimum wage in the nation of $15 an hour by 2022. The proposal now moves on to the state Senate for consideration. The state of New York is considering a similar measure. Gov. Jerry Brown and Democrats who Read More…
Wage hike would cost California taxpayers $3.6B
[Source: Orange County Register] A legislative analysis says raising the minimum wage in California to the highest statewide level in the nation would eventually cost taxpayers an additional $3.6 billion a year in higher pay for government employees. The estimate was released Wednesday as an Assembly committee considers boosting the entry-level wage to $15 an Read More…
California’s $15/hour wage could help workers, cost jobs
[Source: Associated Press] A political deal to raise California’s minimum wage to a nation-leading $15 an hour could help some workers cope with the state’s crushing cost of living but also deprive other low-wage earners of jobs altogether, economists said Monday as Gov. Jerry Brown and other leaders touted what would be a landmark agreement. Read More…
EPA rejects Southern California smog-fighting program as ineffective
[Source: Los Angeles Times] The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has rejected part of a smog-reduction plan by Southern California air quality regulators, saying it has failed to cut pollution from oil refineries and other big emissions sources as required by federal law. The EPA says an emissions-trading program administered by the South Coast Air Quality Read More…
Air pollution reduction program ruled illegal
[Source: Los Angeles Business Journal] A controversial program to give local refineries and major manufacturers more flexibility in reducing air pollution has been ruled illegal by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, officials disclosed late Wednesday. The federal agency said the program fails to meet national clean air standards. The South Coast Air Quality Management District Read More…
California proposes regulations on use of criminal history in employment decisions
[Source: California Chamber of Commerce] The California Fair Employment and Housing Council (FEHC) recently issued proposed regulations related to the use of criminal history information in employment decisions. In part, the proposed amendments recap existing state laws that prohibit employers from utilizing certain criminal background information in hiring, promotion, training, discipline, termination or other employment Read More…
Southern California air quality board is sued over adoption of industry-friendly smog rules
[Source: Los Angeles Times] Community groups and environmentalists filed suit Wednesday over Southern California air quality regulators’ adoption of oil industry-backed smog regulations, saying the measures are so weak they violate state law and will hurt public health. The lawsuit seeks to negate the South Coast Air Quality Management District board’s vote in December that Read More…