[Source: Fox & Hounds] The only problem with holding a contest to decide the worst bill introduced in the Legislature this year is: How do you pick just one? Well, I have a contender for you! AB 5, authored by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher (D-San Diego) and Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) prohibits California businesses with Read More…
Newsroom
Air officials to investigate toxins in Compton
[Source: Long Beach Press Telegram] Air officials will begin investigating several metal processing facilities near homes in Compton for a cancer-causing toxic recently found in the nearby city of Paramount. The effort, announced Friday, comes after the South Coast Air Quality Management District discovered high levels of hexavalent chromium a substance linked to lung cancer, Read More…
California Senate leader unveils new proposal to phase out use of fossil fuels to generate electricity
[Source: Los Angeles Times] California would completely phase out the use of fossil fuels to generate electricity under a new proposal detailed by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) on Tuesday. Meeting the goal would require dramatic changes to the state’s electricity infrastructure over the next two decades, including an end to burning natural Read More…
Southern California’s smog clean-up future is far from clear
[Source: Orange County Register] Southern California has once again won the distinction of having the worst summer smog in the nation but earned praised for its long-term efforts to improve air quality. Such were results of this year’s American Lung Association State of the Air report, a national air pollution analysis. The good news was Read More…
Don’t tax family businesses out of California
[Source: Fox & Hounds] Family businesses are the bedrock of our communities and the economy. A recent study showed that the state’s 1.4 million family businesses employ 7 million people. Family businesses tend to pay their employees better, train them better, and provide more generous benefits than non-family companies. We’re also less likely to significantly Read More…
New air-board chief says he’s been tough on air pollution, polluters
[Source: The Press-Enterprise] Wayne Nastri’s arrival a year ago as the chief of South California’s air quality agency was seen by many as a coup for the business community. The former Bush administration official and environmental consultant took the helm of the South Coast Air Quality Management District just after a takeover of the district’s Read More…
Overtime pay still applies to work meetings scheduled in advance
[Source: CalChamber / Labor Law Corner] My employees normally work Monday through Friday, 8 hours a day, and all are paid hourly for their work. There have been some issues among the employees, and I want to bring them all in for a 1-hour meeting on Saturday morning to discuss the issues. I’ve given everyone Read More…
California drought increased electricity bills and air pollution
[Source: East Bay Times] California’s brutal five-year drought did more than lead to water shortages and dead lawns. It increased electricity bills statewide by $2.45 billion and boosted levels of smog and greenhouse gases, according to a new study released Wednesday. Why? A big drop-off in hydroelectric power. With little rain or snow between 2012 Read More…
How California became the first environmental battleground
[Source: Orange County Register] Earth Day is April 22, so we look at California’s role as an environmental leader and how the state ranks. The first fight The beginning of the national grass-roots environmental movement goes back to a fight by John Muir and the Sierra Club that failed to prevent the construction of the Read More…