[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…
Newsroom
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…
40 years later, Prop 13 to be a main attraction on the 2018 ballot
[Source: Fox & Hounds] On the 40th anniversary of Proposition 13 passing, the iconic property tax measure could very well be a leading issue on the 2018 ballot both with a ballot initiative or two and a prime topic in the gubernatorial campaign. There has been a never-ending campaign to change or even end the Read More…
State Senate leader wants to add seats to air quality board
[Source: Orange County Register] The leader of the state Senate plans to introduce legislation this week to expand the number of seats on the board that regulates Southern California air quality and counter Republican-led efforts to make pollution rules more business-friendly. Senior staff in the office of Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Read More…