Sarah Downey News
Joint statement leaves open questions after surprise bid to unseat Assembly Speaker Rendon
With two weeks until the state budget deadline and debate continuing on crucial economic bills, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D - Lakewood, saw his leadership role almost usurped by Assemblymember Robert Rivas, D - Hollister.
New PAGA blog includes report on upcoming SCOTUS decision on California law
As the U.S. Supreme Court considers its decision in Viking v. Moriana, a case involving the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), it’s raising questions about what the future of the controversial law will look like.
Legislative analyst report details options for California lawmakers on gas price relief
As summer season travelers confront California’s highest-in-nation fuel prices – now above $6 a gallon – the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) examines gas tax abatement in a recent report on fiscal relief options.
Auditor report details recommendations to reform State Bar of California attorney discipline system
A new report from the California State Auditor has found the State Bar failed to adequately follow through on allegations of attorney misconduct, which has resulted in attorneys that should have faced disbarment to continue practicing law.
Greenhouse gas litigation is disincentiving energy innovation, Pacific Research Institute finds
With gas prices now above $6 in California and continuing to rise, a new Pacific Research Institute brief has found that all the litigation over greenhouse gas emissions is hurting consumers and disincentivizing robust innovation in the energy sector.
New coalition forms to urge lawmakers to address escalating retail, residential theft in California
In response to growing crime and lack of effective legislation to prevent it, a new coalition of business, neighborhood, and victims’ groups launched last week to impress upon lawmakers the importance of taking action.
Lawmakers asked to consider bill addressing excessive ADA litigation against small businesses
Pending legislation is bringing increased attention to frivolous ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) lawsuits and the impact on small businesses.
Lawsuit alleging fraudulent ADA claims set for late summer court date
As court proceedings continue in the lawsuit People of the State of California v. Potter Handy LLP et al. – alleging fraudulent filing of Americans with Disabilities [ADA] suits – a federal judge has subsequently ordered Potter Handy plaintiffs to show standing in separate ADA cases.
Business community urges action on proposed California laws to address inflation, crime, supply chain disruption
With inflation rising at a pace not seen in decades, concerns persist about what action California lawmakers will take to reduce it.
CA Supreme court denies review of COVID-19 lawsuit against candy company
The California Supreme Court has declined to review a lawsuit that alleges a husband died from COVID-19 after his wife brought it home from her place of work, raising questions about why the case wasn't covered by the Workers’ Compensation Act (WCA) and Derivative Injury Doctrine.
District attorneys file complaint alleging repeat fraudulent filing of ADA lawsuits
A joint lawsuit by the district attorneys of San Francisco and Los Angeles counties seeks to address the problem of predatory litigation that business owners have long argued is happening in their neighborhoods, even forcing some to surrender so much money it drives them out of business.
Cal/OSHA releases newly updated COVID-19 mitigation rules for the workplace
Cal/OSHA’s adoption last week of the third version of COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) presents new employee testing rules regardless of vaccination status.
New polling shows pronounced shift in Bay Area concerns about crime, homelessness
Crime and homelessness have risen far past COVID-19 as chief concerns for Bay Area residents, according to new polls released by the Bay Area Council (BAC).
New bill lays out accountability measures to help California’s homeless residents
A bill to have cities and counties provide data on homeless populations, to help gauge program expenditures and efficiency, has passed unanimously out of the Senate Committee on Governance and Finance.
'Job Killer' bills pending in Sacramento - more taxes, regulations, liability expansion
The California Chamber of Commerce has issued initial entries for its “2022 Job Killer List,” to bring attention to new bills that could deter economic and employment growth.
U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in California PAGA case; decision expected by early summer
Oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court took place late last month in Viking v. Moriana, a case that questions whether California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) is exempt from the rules of the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA).
California Auditor’s report finds more efficiency needed in state-mandated housing projection procedures
A new report from the California State Auditor identifies key recommendations to help address the state’s housing shortage, and targets the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process that municipalities are required to follow under state law.
HJTA: 'Any year the Legislature is in session is a bad year for taxpayers'
With legislative committees now meeting on bill proposals, and potential tax hikes, a statewide taxpayer advocacy group has issued its annual report card showing how lawmakers scored when it comes to legislation concerning new taxes for Californians.
New bill aims to stop California’s repeat retail theft, provide diversion programs, job training
As the legislature works to address rising retail theft across the state, a new measure would address the ongoing problem while also providing solutions to prevent repeat offenses.
Business community urges decisive action as California legislative committees debate new bills
With committee hearings now underway for proposed bills in the 2022 legislative session, questions persist about what could ultimately become law in an election year.