Tag: Top Stories

Fires

Governor Signs Wildfire Safety and Accountability Legislation

With 2018 standing as the deadliest and most destructive wildfire season on record in California, wildfire safety and accountability legislation passed both houses of...

5 Job Killer Bills Still Active as Legislature Departs for Summer Break

Five job killer bills that will significantly increase costs for California businesses continued to move through the legislative process as lawmakers headed home for...

California Backs Effort to Boost Utilities During Wildfires

California lawmakers approved a multibillion-dollar plan Thursday to shore up the state's biggest electric utilities in the face of catastrophic wildfires and claims for...
The Workplace Podcast

Renewed Talk about Sales Tax on Services Raises Concerns for California Business

Governor Gavin Newsom signed the state budget with a $21 billion surplus, but expressed his support for a new sales tax on services in...
California State Capitol Dome

Rideshare and On-Demand Delivery Drivers Rally at State Capitol Today; LA Times Endorses Dynamex...

Hundreds of rideshare and on-demand delivery drivers are scheduled to rally at the State Capitol at 12:30 p.m. today to urge the Legislature to...

Bill Increasing Health Care Costs Advances in Senate; Business Leaders Express Concerns

A California Chamber of Commerce-opposed bill that will further increase health care-related expenses for California businesses passed the Senate Health Committee last Wednesday. AB 731...
The Workplace Podcast

What Not to Wear – To Work

It’s summertime in California and that means flip flops, shorts, and tank tops. Unfortunately, when the weather heats up, employees can be tempted to...

Smoke, Fire, and New Legislation Approaching

In California, where there’s smoke, there may be a wildfire – and new legislative action. Starting with smoke: on Thursday June 27th, the Cal/OSHA’s Standards...

Bills Targeting Packaging Ignore Costs, Lack of Recycling Infrastructure

Identical job killer bills that will substantially disrupt the state’s economy by placing an overly broad, unrealistic source reduction, recyclability and compostable mandate on...

Workers Are Changing. California Legislature Must Face That Reality

Labor protections are meant to address certain situations where there is an imbalance in control between the employer and employee. But when the workers...
The Workplace Podcast

New Podcast: Stalled and Moving Employment Law Proposals in the Current Legislative Cycle

A number of bills that would have hindered employers in the state have been stopped for the year, but a few others remain. In...

CalChamber Objects to Massive Expansion of Air Emissions Reporting Mandate

No Public Hearing Set as Proposed Rule Now Encompasses Small Businesses Small businesses, including many without in-house air specialists, may soon be required to report...

CalChamber, Japan Business Leaders Note Longstanding Trade/Investment Partnership

An annual meeting between the California Chamber of Commerce and Japan business leaders highlighted California’s continuing interdependence with one of its largest trade and...

CalSavers Retirement Savings Program Registration to Begin July 1

In 2016, the California Legislature passed a bill that laid the foundation for a state-run retirement plan, and in 2018, the final governing regulations were adopted....

Job Killer Bill Threatening Water Supply Reliability Passes Policy Committee

Legislation that threatens water supply reliability for millions of Californians passed the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee on Tuesday. The California Chamber of...
The Workplace Podcast

Regulations May Require Employers to Monitor Air Quality/Provide Respirators

New regulations for safety in the workplace are in motion as Cal/OSHA looks to protect employees from detrimental effects of working near or around...

For Uber and Lyft Drivers, Reclassification Means Less Flexibility

Last week, an op-ed appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle discussing the fact that executives from Uber and Lyft have come together to address...

California’s Private Economy Serves State Budget Bounty

Right on schedule, the California Legislature approved a $213 billion state budget – roughly twice the size of the budget adopted a decade ago...
The Workplace Podcast

CalChamber Podcast Focuses on Meals and Breaks at the Office

Although California’s meal and rest break rules are intended to give hourly employees time to take breaks during their shifts, problems can arise if...

Employers Can Help Improve the Skills Gap

California employers face major workforce challenges, especially a skills gap as high school-aged students enter the workforce without the tools necessary to succeed. One strategy...