The Seattle City Council wrote a new page in the emerging history of the “gig economy” yesterday, voting to allow Uber and Lyft drivers to unionize. California Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez wants to take it one step further, allowing “gig” contractors to collectively bargain, even without a union. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times:
“A solution about to be proposed in Sacramento, however, probably won't make unions happy, let alone business.
“It's to bypass unions entirely and create a new organizing tool that allows groups of gig workers to collectively bargain with the company operating the app. It's titled the California 1099 Self-Organizing Act — 1099 being the annual tax form independent contractors are supposed to receive from the entity paying them, such as Uber.
“Richie Ross, a veteran political consultant and Capitol operative who got his start with Cesar Chavez in the United Farm Workers union, is the instigator of the proposal. He brainstormed with a longtime labor lawyer, Richard McCracken of San Francisco.
“Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), a former labor leader, will introduce the bill after the Legislature reconvenes in January.
"’As the economy changes, the law has to change as well,’ Gonzalez says. ‘Our rules for unions come out of a different era. We have to accept that.’”
Forget “Why did the chicken cross the road?” – the more interesting question is, “Why did Toyota move to Texas?” Hint: it’s not taxes, regulations, or an anti-business environment. Bill Hethcock, Dallas Business Journal:
“Sure, the low taxes, relaxed regulatory environment and Central Time Zone are nice. But none of those factors tops the list of reasons Toyota decided to plant its North American headquarters in Plano, bringing in more than 3,000 jobs, mostly from California.
“The main driver of Toyota’s move from Torrance, California, was housing costs, according to Albert Niemi Jr., dean of the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University, who has inside knowledge about the move. Niemi shared the anecdote at an SMU Cox Economic Outlook Panel on Friday morning.
“’It wasn’t so much that we don’t tax income,’ he said. ‘It was really about affordable housing. That’s what started the conversation. They had focus groups with their employees. Their people said, “We’re willing to move. We just want to live the American Dream.”’”
Back in Sacramento, a group of Republican lawmakers surprised some last week with a call for increased funding for social services that treat the developmentally disabled. Dan Walters, Sacramento Bee:
“They support a bill, which has been stalled by the Legislature’s majority Democrats, that would provide enough funds for 10 percent rate increases to service providers for nearly 300,000 clients.
“’Increased access to care should be a budget priority,’ said Sen. Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber, co-author of the bill. ‘Nearly 50 years ago, the state made a promise through the Lanterman Act that children and adults with developmental disabilities would be cared for. The promise should be kept….’
“State financing for the regional centers – such as the one in San Bernardino that was attacked by two terrorists on Dec. 2, leaving 14 people dead – was slashed when the state faced recession-spawned budget crises, and Brown has been somewhat reluctant to restore the aid.”
A court ruling earlier this year lifted residency restrictions on some paroled sex offenders who could not find housing because of strict limitations imposed under Jessica's Law. The Associated Press discovered that three-quarters of the nearly 6000 sex offender parolees in California are now exempt. Don Thompson has the story:
“The rate is far higher than officials predicted. The state initially expected half of the 5,900 parolees would have restrictions lifted on where they can live or sleep when the corrections department changed its policy in response to the ruling that said the prohibition cannot be broadly applied to all offenders.
“Instead, data shows that 76 percent of offenders are no longer subject to the voter-approved restrictions.”
The California National Organization for Women, for decades a power player in Sacramento, has seen its influence wane. As awareness and support for womens’ issues increases in the state, the organization has faced a steep decline in revenue and the closure of its capitol office. Melanie Mason, Los Angeles Times:
“[…Without] a presence in Sacramento, the group has surrendered the ability to help steer statewide policy, former members say.
“’That physical presence is lost,’ said Jodi Hicks, a former lobbyist for the organization who recalled a time when it was common to head to the Capitol at a moment’s notice to meet with lawmakers or cultivate relationships with staff.
“Longtime supporters of the group say its influence has waned through its leaders’ unwillingness to compromise, which hindered work with fellow advocates and lawmakers.
“’California NOW should have tried to move their policy agenda forward by developing strong working relationships with state legislators, so they'd have a seat at the table when important bills on women's rights were being crafted,’ said Lori Vandermeir, a former communications director of the state organization.”
Three years to the day after a heavily-armed man killed 26 children and teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) convened a tense hearing at California’s capitol to make his case for stricter gun laws. Jeremy White, Sacramento Bee:
“’Rather than take a position of “we’ll pass no laws,’”I think it’s time folks took a stand’ for tighter gun laws, Thompson said at the outset of a hearing at the Capitol. ‘If you’re a criminal or you’re dangerously mentally ill,’ he added, ‘I don’t think you should have a gun.’
“Thompson, who chairs a House of Representatives task force on preventing gun violence, said the best remedy would be federal legislation mandating background checks for sales in venues like online stores and gun shows, where such vetting does not occur.”
And, Happy Birthday to Gustave Eiffel, of Eiffel Tower fame, born this day in 1832.
In honor of the famous French engineer’s nascence, we offer the amazing story of another – lesser known – but perhaps even more amazing French engineering whiz, Emile Leray. (With hard-to-believe photos)
“When Frenchman Emile Leray became stranded in a Moroccan desert with a badly damaged car, his ordeal was one which would have left most men helpless and desperate.
“But after his Citroen car ground to a halt, the enterprising electrician would not be denied in his quest to find his way back to civilisation.
“His amazing escape from the barren terrain saw Mr Leray singlehandedly rebuild his Citroen into a makeshift motorbike, in a dramatic escape which has seen him dubbed the most 'extreme' mechanic in the world….
“Luckily, he had a small cache of supplies, water for several days and a few tools, including a hacksaw…
“He started by removing the Citroen's body, which he then used as a shelter to sleep under.
“To build the bike he shortened the car's chassis before reattaching the axles and two of the wheels, as well as installing the engine and gearbox in the middle.
“He had thought that it would take him just a few days to construct the motorcycle, but in the end it took 12…
“Eventually, however, it was complete and, with just half a litre of water left, Emile started his ride back to civilisation…
“After a day of riding Emile was picked up by the Moroccan police who drove him to the nearest village.
“They also handed him a hefty fine because the registration documents for his car no longer corresponded to what he was driving.”
To that we say, “Vive la France!”
