Sarah Downey News
Walgreens plans appeal in San Francisco opioid trial
A federal judge on Wednesday ruled that Walgreens is liable for contributing to San Francisco’s opioid epidemic, finding that the company was responsible for public nuisance arising from dispensing prescriptions.
Candidate Dahle pledges action on water storage, fire prevention issues stuck in Sacramento
With California’s largest wildfire of the year so far burning in Siskiyou County, and drought conditions upping enforcement of water restrictions throughout the state, questions persist about why generous water storage plans and fire prevention policies haven’t come to fruition in Sacramento.
Business alliance to petition California Supreme Court over PAGA constitutionality
With the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Viking v. Moriana raising awareness about controversial California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claims, a new petition is also scheduled to be filed with the California Supreme Court over whether PAGA is constitutional.
New report examines results, recent spending on California’s homeless
As California’s homeless population continues to grow, a new report on Project Homekey and the billions spent so far analyzes how the Newsom administration’s program is helping people at-risk and the cost to state taxpayers.
U.S. Supreme case presents more options for future of school choice in California
With the recent SCOTUS decision in Carson v. Makin raising more questions on school choice here, it’s also bringing more focus to the November elections and how education issues will impact which candidates voters decide to support.
Candidate Dahle lays out platform on housing and homelessness
As Gov. Gavin Newsom looks ready to leave California along with the millions who’ve already moved, his Republican challenger in the 2022 California governor’s race is readying a campaign of reform that underscores his commitment to California and the people who live here.
November runoff for public education superintendent will pit reformer against incumbent
After the Secretary of State released certified results on Friday for this year’s primary election, campaigning kicks into high gear throughout the state’s newly drawn voting districts as candidates work to convey their message to voters.
Republican senators call for action on California gas prices
With California’s high gas prices contributing to the record 9.1 percent inflation rate announced last week, concerns persist about why Democratic lawmakers have failed to act on immediate means of relief.
California court rulings precede controversial class action cases in life insurance sector
As prices on everything from fuel to food continue to increase, advocates are raising concerns about rising life insurance premiums following last year’s California Supreme Court decision in McHugh v. Protective Life Insurance Co.
Energy companies continue challenge to appellate rulings in climate change litigation
While the Ninth Circuit declined last month to hear en banc a petition for review in San Mateo v. Chevron, it remains to be seen if that lawsuit – or one of the similar cases pending in other circuits – is selected for review by the U.S. Supreme Court, or if these cases seeking to hold energy companies liable for climate change get adjudicated in state court.
AB 5 restrictions imminent for trucking sector; industry leaders, lawmakers urge action to blunt inflation, supply chain
The state of California is expected to reinstate enforcement of AB5 on independent truck drivers after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to grant certiorari in California Trucking Association v. Bonta, raising concerns about impacts on the supply chain and rising costs here and nationwide.
After U.S. Supreme Court rules for PAGA arbitration, California lawmakers consider policy response
With the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Viking v. Moriana, which found PAGA (Private Attorneys General Act) claims subject to arbitration, it’s raising questions about further reform to the law and new legislation state lawmakers may propose to reflect the high court’s ruling.
Cal/OSHA issues draft text of long-term Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for on the job Covid prevention
With last month’s announcement that Cal/OSHA could implement a new permanent standard for COVID-19 mitigation in workplaces, it’s raising questions about how much the new rules would differ from the current procedures.
Ninth and other federal circuits asked to further consider climate change liability cases
The Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals is considering whether to hear en banc a petition involving local governments suing energy companies over climate change.
SCOTUS rules 8-1 that federal law preempts California’s PAGA arbitration rules
The U.S. Supreme Court in a near-unanimous decision in Viking v. Moriana has agreed that claims brought under the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) can be compelled to arbitration.
Superintendent of Public Instruction race results signal ongoing frustration for California families
With the race for California’s top public education post still too close to call, it’s raising questions about the degree to which parental concerns could override the powerful unions that spent millions to keep the incumbent in office.
Close race for top schools post reflects importance of education for Californians
As votes continued to be tallied from last week’s California primary, the millions spent by teachers’ unions in the Superintendent of Public Instruction race did not appear to put incumbent Tony Thurmond above 50 percent, and he will likely face a runoff in November.
Retailers: Decisive vote to recall SF District Attorney reflects voter concerns on crime and safety
With the resounding vote to recall San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin last Tuesday, and candidates with prosecution track records also winning support in Sacramento and elsewhere, it’s raising questions about the degree to which crime concerns will factor in the November elections.
New CA Supreme Court ruling sets new rules for missed premium payments
A California Supreme Court decision establishes new parameters for how premium payments apply for meal and rest period violations, stating such payments need to be reported as wages that must be included on wage statements and final pay obligations.
New report finds California leads in Covid-related class actions against employers
With a new study that shows a large number of the Covid-related putative class actions in California are filed against employers, it’s raising questions about how defendants will mount a case when data shows the difficulty of determining where the virus was contracted.