California

Another critical issue is whether the drivers are employees or independent contractors, Freeman said. Companies are more likely to be held legally responsible for the conduct of employees than that of contractors. Lyft contends the drivers are independent contractors, despite a California Supreme Court ruling in 2018 and a state law effective this year that classify workers as employees if they are in the same business as the company. … [Read more...] about Judge orders all California sexual assault suits against Lyft to be heard in SF

Uber is battling hard to prevent its drivers from being reclassified as employes. It’s joined forces with Lyft as well as delivery companies DoorDash, Postmates and Instacart on a $110 million initiative campaign, asking voters to keep their drivers and couriers as independent contractors entitled to some benefits and wage guarantees. Along with Postmates, it sued California last month, claiming that AB5 is “irrational and unconstitutional.” … [Read more...] about Uber tests letting California drivers set own rates

UC officials expressed gratitude for the funding but said they need more to fully cover their ambitious plan to increase California undergraduate enrollment, expand academic support to raise graduation rates and reduce achievement gaps, repair long-neglected infrastructure, strengthen student mental health services and address faculty and staff salary gaps. UC is projecting a budget shortfall of $250 million for the 2020-21 school year, growing to $734 million in five years, without more funding. … [Read more...] about Gov. Gavin Newsom opposes UC tuition increase as ‘unwarranted’ and ‘bad for students’

To be honest, I’m more accustomed to hearing public officials call for blue ribbon panels and six-month feasibility studies, which are often ways to put off doing anything at all. So the momentum here is refreshing, even though we’re early in the process, with a lot of work to be done and no guarantee the county will get what it’s after. … [Read more...] about Column: A county-owned homeless service center in the old St. Vincent hospital? It just might happen

Former New York City Mayor Michael BloombergMichael Rubens BloombergBiden endorsed by four more members of Congressional Black Caucus How Citizens United altered America's political landscape Rep. Bobby Rush endorses Bloomberg's White House bid MORE, who launched his campaign in November, has poured resources in to California and other Super Tuesday states, spending roughly $24 million on ads in California. Yet the USC Rossier poll showed Bloomberg with six percent in the state.  … [Read more...] about Sanders holds four-point lead on Biden in new California poll