Sarah Downey News
Legislators urge Newsom administration to act on delayed water storage projects
With the state projecting a $31 billion budget surplus, lawmakers are calling for certain allocations to go toward overdue water storage projects already approved by California voters.
U.S. Supreme Court set to review appellate dissolution of vaccine mandate stay
The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to decide whether to uphold the recent Sixth Circuit ruling that overturned the previously issued stay on the federal vaccine mandate for businesses with more than 100 employees.
Journalist Alex Berenson sues Twitter after his ban from social media platform
The journalist Alex Berenson has filed a lawsuit against Twitter after the social media platform banned him for comments about the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.
California Supreme Court disposition denies writ on CRC redistricting meetings
In the lead up to final redistricting maps being sent to the Secretary of State, the California Supreme Court has denied a writ alleging that non-public meetings among California Citizens Redistricting Commission (CRC) members and partisan policymakers had become part of the redistricting process.
New ballot initiatives seek to improve California’s ranking as nation’s top ‘Judicial Hellhole’
With California now back at the top of the annual Judicial Hellholes ranking from the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA), it’s raising questions about whether state lawmakers may undertake reforms when the legislative session resumes in early January.
Signature gathering set to begin for PAGA reform ballot measure
Proponents for an initiative that would replace the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) with a system designed to improve relief for workers have been approved to start gathering signatures to qualify the measure for the November 2022 election ballot.
California businesses, government leaders call for definitive action on theft prevention
As organized theft rings have continued a violent crime wave on California businesses and consumers in recent weeks, policymakers and industry leaders are calling for a cohesive response to find solutions to the problem.
U.S. District Court applies new manageability case law in PAGA ruling
A federal judge has applied new case law regarding manageability of California’s PAGA (Private Attorneys General Act) in a decision involving installation technicians who had discretion over when to take their hourlong meal break within the first five hours of their work shift.
State housing officials caution San Francisco supervisors about rejecting housing development
The state Housing Accountability Unit has sent a directive to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors (BOS) to revisit plans for a housing development in a little used Nordstrom parking lot that had met required criteria and was still rejected.
California retakes top spot in annual ranking of 'Judicial Hellholes'
California has been named the nation’s top Judicial Hellhole, up two slots from last year, in the 20th annual ranking from the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA).
California Supreme Court to issue ruling on CCRC redistricting meetings
The California Supreme Court is due to rule on a petition that was filed late last month, alleging members of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission (CRC) have held non-public meetings on redrawing voting districts, and asking for court intervention to stop such meetings and restore the CRC’s constitutionally mandated transparency.
Projected $31 billion surplus raises questions about spending decisions
While the state has an estimated $31 billion surplus, questions persist about how California’s high tax rates have contributed to the surplus, and led to population decline with fewer housing and job opportunities.
Cal/OSHA considers new ETS workplace rules; federal vaccine mandate on hold
As legal challenges to the federal vaccine mandate for companies with more than 100 employees works its way through the courts, California regulators are working to adapt the state workplace rules on virus prevention to reflect current developments.
Business coalition calls for emergency declaration, suspending regulations to help solve California ports crisis
As retailers were winding down an important shopping weekend, with sales struggling to reach pre-pandemic levels, questions remain about what’s being done to streamline regulatory burdens in the supply chain logjam.
Ninth Circuit en banc court rules Fair Housing Act litigation requires direct link between harm and conduct
An en banc ruling by the Ninth Circuit, in City of Oakland v. Wells Fargo & Co., has held that cities claiming loss of property taxes due to financial lender practices doesn’t meet the proximate cause threshold.
U.S. Supreme Court invites Solicitor General briefing in CA Trucking Association AB 5 litigation
In a new development in the California Trucking Association (CTA) case seeking review by the U.S. Supreme Court, the court has asked the Solicitor General to provide input, to help determine whether the high court will hear the CTA’s case.
Federal appellate court okays H-2A laborer arbitration agreements
A recent Ninth Circuit ruling, in Martinez-Gonzalez v. Elkhorn Packing Co., LLC, provides clarity that arbitration agreements can apply to workers with H-2A visa status.
Federal vaccine mandate on hold at Sixth Circuit; OSHA response due Nov. 30
The Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for employers with more than 100 employees has been suspended pending the outcome of more than two dozen federal lawsuits filed in response to the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) rule.
Theft at clogged California ports worsens supply chain issues for businesses, consumers
In another signal of the supply chain crisis impact on inflation, cargo containers are being targeted by thieves, causing further supply side problems for businesses that translate into higher prices for consumers.
U.S. appeals court affirms direct physical damage to property required for business interruption claim
A federal appellate court has ruled against a San Francisco retailer’s claim for loss of income during California’s mandated COVID-19 closures because there wasn’t direct physical damage to the property.