Bye Nancy

Nancy Pelosi announced this morning via social media that she will not seek re-election in 2026. “With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative,” she said. A member of a Baltimore political family, Pelosi has represented California in the House since 1987, making her the second-longest-serving woman in the House's history. She made history in 2007 by becoming the first woman to serve as speaker of the House, where she gained a reputation as a skillful political operator. Combining her two terms as speaker (2007–2011 and 2019–2023), she is the fifth-longest-serving speaker in history. Her decision opens the door for State Senator Scott Weiner and several other hungry politicians to run for the seat. Weiner opened a committee earlier in the year. Here is a list of people who will be in the race.

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After Prop 50, California is Now the Fifth State to Redistrict Ahead of the 2026 Congressional Elections

California became the fifth state to redraw its congressional districts ahead of the 2026 elections after voters approved Proposition 50 on Nov. 4. The new map makes five districts more favorable to Democrats according to 2024 presidential results. That could lower the net gains from redistricting in Republican-led states from nine districts to four nationwide.

Gavin Newsom (D) stated that California’s new map was a response to redistricting in Texas. Texas became the first state to enact new congressional district boundaries ahead of the 2026 elections on Aug. 29. That map shifts five Democratic districts toward Republicans according to 2024 presidential election results.

Since then, three other Republican-led states have enacted new congressional maps; two voluntarily and one due to a constitutional requirement. On Sept. 28, Missouri enacted a new congressional map that aims to net one Republican district by drawing parts of Kansas City into surrounding rural areas. North Carolina enacted a new map on Oct. 22 that makes the 1st District, currently represented by Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Davis, more favorable to Republicans. According to Inside Elections, President Donald Trump (R) would have won the district by 12 points in 2024.

Ohio was the only state required by law to redistrict because the commission’s 2022 map did not have bipartisan support. On Oct. 31, the Ohio Redistricting Commission approved a new map that, according to data from the commission based on recent statewide election results, could make two districts more competitive for Republicans.

Altogether, Republicans could net four districts nationwide because of mid-decade redistricting. As of Nov. 5, Republicans had a 219-213 majority in the U.S. House with three vacancies.

Five states (three Republican-led and two Democratic-led) are still considering redistricting before the midterm elections. A new Utah map, drawn by the Legislature due to a court order, awaits District Judge Dianna Gibson’s consideration. She is expected to issue a ruling by Nov. 10.




 

The Florida Legislature formed a special redistricting committee that has not yet met. Indiana lawmakers will consider redistricting in response to Gov. Mike Braun’s (R) call for a special session during the first two weeks of December. Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins (R) announced the House did not gather enough votes to call a special session, but the Legislature could still take up redistricting at the start of its regular session in January.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) announced the creation of a redistricting advisory commission on Nov. 4 that would propose a new congressional map ahead of the 2026 elections. Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson (D) had previously told the chamber's Democrats that "the Senate is choosing not to move forward with mid-cycle redistricting."

In October, the Virginia General Assembly approved a constitutional amendment that would allow the state to redraw its congressional lines. The amendment must pass the General Assembly again after new officeholders are sworn in before being placed on the ballot for voters to decide.

Click here to learn more about congressional redistricting ahead of the midterm elections.

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And in a related story, California Republicans File Prop 50 Lawsuit

A coalition of California Republicans filed a lawsuit yesterday challenging Proposition 50, an immediate attempt to thwart Democrats’ gerrymandering plan just hours after polls closed. The lawsuit, which was filed with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, claims the state’s move to redraw its congressional lines is unconstitutional and violates the 14th and 15th Amendments for redistricting based on race, “specifically to favor Hispanic voters, without cause or evidence to justify it. While the Constitution entrusts States with designing congressional districts, the Supreme Court has also held that states may not, without a compelling reason backed by evidence that was in fact considered, separate citizens into different voting districts on the basis of race,” the lawsuit reads.

The lawsuit, filed by the California Republican Party along with a group of California voters and Republican candidates, is the latest pushback in a growing list of litigation across the country attempting to counter gerrymandering in the sweeping redistricting war. Since the 2020 census, around 100 lawsuits have been filed in attempts to block the redistricting that would threaten either party’s congressional strongholds, including a lawsuit from Virginia Republicans last month and four separate suits in September challenging Missouri redistricting that would favor the GOP.

The prospect of a California gerrymander caught conservatives’ attention before Proposition 50’s victory Tuesday night, with former Trump White House strategist Steve Bannon arguing that challenging the redistricting plan should be a top priority for the president. “Two things I would do [if I were Trump],” Bannon told POLITICO Magazine. “Number one, get [Assistant Attorney General] Harmeet Dhillon and the Justice Department to go out and file suit against this scam of [California Gov. Gavin] Newsom on this redistricting plan that went against the constitution of California. I would get the Justice Department to file suit, go get a [temporary restraining order] immediately, and then hit this thing and drag it out for a year.”

Assemblyman David Tangipa (R–Clovis) was the lead plaintiff on the lawsuit, working with the California Republican Party and Harmeet Dhillon’s law firm to oppose the gerrymandered redistricting scheme that favors Democrats. With a straight face, they argued that the new map violates the 14th and 15th amendments of the U.S. Constitution, as well as Supreme Court precedent regarding race-based districts under the Voting Rights Act.

More

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California Exempt Employee Wage Increases for 2026

Each year, California’s minimum wage rises, but along with hourly workers’ wages increasing, so too does the salary threshold for employees to be exempt from overtime. For an employee to be exempt from overtime under California law, their job must fall into a specific exempt category and meet a designated wage rate.

The most common exemptions are for executive, administrative, and professional roles. Employees in these capacities generally qualify if their work meets detailed requirements and they earn at least twice the state minimum wage for full-time employment. In 2026, exempt employees will increase from $68,640 to $70,304 per year on January 1, 2026, in accordance with California’s requirement that exempt employees must earn at least twice the state minimum wage for full-time work (40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year).

Article

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Voters Consider Fate of $398 Million Worth of Local Tax Measures

When Californians voted in yesterday’s special election on Proposition 50, many also had an opportunity to vote on local tax and bond measures.

There were 14 tax and bond measures on local ballots. If all are approved, California’s affordability problem will worsen, as residents will be required to pay an additional $398.4 million per year in new taxes. As is often the case, some local government entities used tax dollars to campaign in favor of tax increases, despite the state law that prohibits the use of any public resources to campaign for or against ballot measures. For example, Santa Clara County’s First 5 Commission, a public entity funded by revenue from tobacco taxes, posted an endorsement on its website, stating: “The FIRST 5 Commission voted unanimously to support Measure A as an investment in children, families, and the future of our community.”

The city of Santa Fe Springs posted a list of “frequently asked questions” about Measure L with a campaign-style flier titled, “Measure L. Local Choices. Local Impact.” The flier includes only positive spin on the measure and is accompanied by a color photo of a family laughing and enjoying a picnic.

Suspected violations of the state’s election laws can be reported to the California Fair Political Practices Commission, which has the authority to issue monetary penalties against local government agencies that are found to be in violation.

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Final Days to Enter the Committed to America’s Heroes Sweepstakes

In partnership with Toyota North America, Hiring Our Heroes is proud to offer one lucky member of the military community the chance to drive away in a brand-new Toyota of their choice through the Committed to America’s Heroes Sweepstakes.

Don’t miss your chance to win a brand-new Toyota; the sweepstakes deadline is December 1.

Enter for Your Chance to Win

There is no cost to enter, and it takes seconds to submit your entry. The Committed to America’s Heroes Sweepstakes is open to active-duty service members, veterans, and military spouses.

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Other Election Results

Abigail Spanberger (D) defeated Winsome Earle-Sears (R) in the race to succeed incumbent Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), who was term-limited. As of 1 a.m. EST Wednesday, with more than 95% of votes in, Spanberger received 57.5% to Earle-Sears’ 42.3%.

Spanberger’s victory, combined with Democrats holding their majority in the House of Delegates, created a new Democratic trifecta in the state. Once Spanberger is sworn in, Virginia will be one of 16 Democratic trifectas. Nationally, following the 2025 elections, there will be 16 Democratic trifectas, 23 Republican trifectas, and 11 divided governments.



 

CSLB Joins Multi-Agency Effort to Combat Unlicensed Contractors Across California

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) recently completed a statewide series of stings and sweeps targeting unlicensed activity in the construction industry. The effort was part of a multi-agency effort organized by the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA).

The stings and sweeps resulted in 119 legal actions, primarily for unlicensed contracting and illegal advertising. Unlicensed contracting puts consumers at risk in many ways, including failure to meet minimum competency requirements and the lack of a contractor’s bond or workers' compensation insurance.

Over the course of two weeks, the CSLB joined forces with local law enforcement to conduct three undercover sting operations in San Joaquin, Kern, and San Diego counties. Investigators contacted the suspects through their advertisements. Unlicensed individuals can only advertise for jobs valued at under $1,000 and must clearly disclose that they are not licensed.

During the stings, suspected unlicensed individuals arrived at designated locations to bid on various projects, including demolition, fencing, flooring, masonry, painting, sand and water blasting, concrete work, tree removal, landscaping, solar installation, and kitchen and bathroom remodeling. As a result, 19 administrative legal actions were filed, and 26 individuals will be referred to the district attorney’s offices for review and possible prosecution for contracting without a license.

The individuals involved submitted bids ranging from $1,000 to $46,000. California laws prohibit unlicensed contractors from bidding on and/or contracting for any project that requires a building permit, involves employee labor, or has a combined labor and material cost of $1,000 or more. All may now face legal consequences, which can include substantial fines and potential jail time.

Forty-six sweep operations were conducted in 17 counties. They included 454 site visits, 28 cases referred to local district attorneys, nine licensee citations, 24 non-licensee citations, 13 Letters of Admonishment, 27 stop work orders, and 99 advisory notices.

During the stings and sweeps, several individuals requested an excessive down payment. It is illegal in California for a home improvement project's down payment to exceed 10 percent of the contract total or $1,000, whichever is less. This misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000. Subsequent payments cannot exceed the value of the work being performed or materials delivered.

“Nationwide enforcement operations such as the NASCLA coordinated enforcement effort are vital in educating consumers about the risks of not checking a contractor's license and deterring unlicensed/unqualified practice,” said CSLB Registrar David Fogt. “It only takes a few seconds to verify a contractor's license information on CSLB's website.” Unlicensed individuals cited during the operations were provided with information on how to obtain a license and were invited to attend one of the CSLB's “Get Licensed to Build” workshops.

For further information or to report suspected unlicensed contractor activities, please visit the CSLB website at www.cslb.ca.gov or contact CSLB toll-free at 1-800-321-CSLB (2752). For ongoing information and updates from CSLB, connect on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

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Republican-Led NLRB May Soon Revisit Expanded Remedies and Other Labor Precedents

With the Senate HELP Committee advancing two of President Trump’s nominees, the NLRB may soon regain a quorum and shift to its first Republican-led majority since 2021, potentially signaling changes to existing federal labor law. Expanded remedies under Thryv remain in force, for now. The NLRB’s Thryv, Inc. decision (2022) broadened employer liability in unfair labor practice cases by requiring compensation for all “direct or foreseeable” harms.

More on NLRB revisiting expanded remedies here

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Initiative Proposes $100 Billion Tax on Those with Assets Over $1 Billion

An initiative filed October 22nd by a powerful government employee union proposes a one-time tax on net worth above $1 billion; a tax on individuals that the proponents say would raise “about $100 billion to replace lost federal dollars and protect essential services.”

Initiative 25-0024 proposes an “excise tax … on the activity of sustaining excessive accumulations of wealth.”

The tax would be imposed for the 2026 tax year and would apply to “all forms of personal property and wealth, whether tangible or intangible,” over specified thresholds. It would be imposed on individuals (a married couple would be considered as one individual) and trusts, with provisions relating to sole proprietorships and how a business entity’s value would be allocated to individuals who own an interest in the business.

The tax rate would be 5 percent for those with a net worth higher than $1.1 billion, with slightly lower rates for those with a net worth between $1 billion and $1.1 billion (the 5 percent rate would be reduced 0.1 percentage point for each $2 million below the $1.1 billion threshold).

If the proponents gather enough signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot, it will go before voters in the November 2026 election. This creates the potential for a massive excise tax that would be retroactive to the beginning of the tax year for many provisions, and to October 15, 2025 (one week before the initiative was filed) for several provisions intended to make it impossible for taxpayers to adjust their behavior to avoid incurring tax liability.

The named proponents are Suzanne Jimenez, Chief of Staff for the Service Employees International Union – United Healthcare West (SEIU-UHW), and Jim Mangia, chief executive Officer of St. John’s Community Health, a network of nonprofit health centers in Southern California.

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CEQA Reform

The California Chamber of Commerce filed a ballot initiative that would overhaul CEQA, California’s broadest environmental law, casting it as an effort to spur development and lower housing costs. The initiative, titled the “Building an Affordable California Act,” aims to push beyond changes to the law passed earlier this summer and streamline the entire CEQA process for “essential projects,” arguing that the state’s “outdated system” is “too slow, too bureaucratic, and too costly.” The measure proposes a series of changes to streamline CEQA to cut red tape and limit lawsuits that the chamber says unnecessarily delay projects deemed “essential” like affordable housing, clean energy, transportation, and wildfire resilience. It would create enforceable deadlines for review, giving government officials one year to approve or deny environmental impact reports, as well as measures to limit the effectiveness of "frivolous" NIMBY lawsuits. “Legislators have previously approved narrow project exemptions, but it’s time to actually modernize the 55-year-old law,” wrote Jennifer Barrera, the president and CEO of CalChamber, in an argument for the proposal. “Californians deserve a law that recognizes prosperity isn’t the enemy of preservation.”

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New Poster

On October 12, 2025, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 294, which requires employers in California to provide a stand-alone written notice of worker rights to each new employee when hired, and annually to all current employees. It also tasks the Labor Commissioner with developing and annually updating a template notice and related educational materials for California employees and employers.

Workplace Know Your Rights Act: By February 1, 2026 (and every year thereafter), employers must provide each employee with a stand-alone written notice summarizing key workplace rights. The notices must disclose:

(1) the right to workers’ compensation benefits;

(2) the right to be notified of immigration-agency inspections;

(3) protections against “unfair immigration-related practices”;

(4) the right to organize or engage in concerted activity (i.e., to unionize);

(5) constitutional rights when interacting with law enforcement at the workplace;

(6) information on new legal developments deemed material by the Labor Commissioner; and

(7) a list of relevant enforcement agencies.

[CABIA]

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Annual Cook Brown Labor & Employment Law Update

If you have not yet registered, you can reserve your place for this timely program and gain valuable insight from Cook Brown attorneys on the legal developments and compliance requirements that will shape workplace practices in 2026. Live Webinar – November 19, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM PT

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Civil Rights Firm Sues California Over Funding for School Infrastructure

Public Advocates, a non-profit law firm and advocacy organization, filed a lawsuit Thursday against the state of California, alleging its process for funding school construction projects discriminates against poor communities. The lawsuit, filed in Alameda County Superior Court, seeks to halt specific funding for school facilities until lawmakers rethink the way money is allocated so that it “delivers education opportunity equitably,” according to John Affeldt, managing attorney at Public Advocates. The funding, used to modernize school buildings at least two decades old, includes $4 billion approved by voters last fall through a ballot measure. In all, the measure allocated $10 billion to K-12 school infrastructure and community college infrastructure. WECA joined in opposing the bond bill and ballot measure because it gives school districts additional points toward funding if the district has a PLA.

The state’s School Facility Program requires districts to raise 40 percent of the funding for projects themselves and then apply to the state for 60-65 percent of the costs. Funding is given out on a first-come, first-served basis.

Such requirements discriminate against poorer districts that cannot raise money as effectively as their wealthier counterparts, according to the complaint. Districts in well-off areas pass bond measures more easily, and funding from the facilities program has historically been distributed disproportionately, the lawsuit alleges. The wealthiest districts receive eight times more than the poorest districts, according to research from UC Berkeley’s Center for Cities and Schools.

The state provides financial hardship assistance to districts struggling to raise funds, but the lawsuit argues that proving eligibility is “burdensome.” According to the UC Berkeley report, hardship funds make up less than 3 percent of total funding distributed.

Affeldt, in an interview, said that lawmakers have so far ignored calls to address the issue and that he hopes this brings Gov. Gavin Newsom and policymakers to the table.

“If that doesn’t happen, then we are prepared to go forward and seek some form of relief before another $4 billion goes out in a grossly inequitable way,” Affeldt said.

Proposition 2, the 2024 ballot measure, was an essential rebound for schools after a bond measure failed in 2020, leaving school districts with worsening infrastructure. While Affeldt said he is glad that the measure passed, he said projects are being funded “according to this discriminatory legislation.”

The state budget enacted this year allocates $1.5 billion in Proposition 2 funds to school projects.

[Politico]

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SBCTC Pick Their Candidate

Antonio Villaraigosa nabbed the endorsement of the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, one of the heavier-hitting labor players in Sacramento that sways housing debates and represents more than 450,000 workers.

Villaraigosa, while carving out a moderate Democratic lane in the gubernatorial race, has picked up support from statewide labor groups representing police officers, electrical workers, operating engineers and iron workers, among others. He negotiated with several of them while he was speaker of the California Assembly before becoming mayor of Los Angeles.

Villaraigosa “has always had our members' best interests in mind, even when we weren’t in the room,” state Trades President Chris Hannan said in a statement. “As Governor, we trust that he will make sure we are in the room and at the table, representing working families in every conversation about our state’s future.”

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Swalwell for Governor?

Polling being conducted this week is testing how Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA 14) would fare if he ran for governor. Lisa Tucker, a political consultant for Swalwell, told Politico the survey did not come from the representative’s camp and that she didn’t know who was responsible for it. But the poll is nevertheless stirring chatter about Swalwell’s future.

One question tells respondents that Swalwell “could run in 2026 for either Congress or Governor,” before asking whether he’d be more effective in fighting the president in Congress or as governor.

Another test of Swalwell’s chances in a horse race against the major candidates who are in the race already. But first, it tells respondents that Katie Porter’s critics have faulted her for a “reputation for mistreating and bullying her staff” and for claiming special interests spent to “rig” last year’s Senate race against her.

Swalwell fueled rumors that he was considering running when he criticized Porter at a press conference after videos surfaced of her threatening to walk out of an interview and tearing into a staffer.

The survey had an overwhelmingly positive slant, suggesting it was commissioned by people supporting Swalwell. Questions tested the Congress member’s favorability after prompting respondents with information about his upbringing, a video of him at a “No Kings” protest, and by telling them he supported the tough-on-crime Proposition 36, a break with many Democrats.

Swalwell hasn’t said whether he’ll run, and Tucker declined to comment further.

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Arizona Attorney General Sues Mike Johnson for Failing to Seat Adelita Grijalva

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed a lawsuit against Trump Mini-Me, House Speaker Mike Johnson, on Tuesday for failing to seat Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva. In the lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, Mayes asks the court to compel Johnson to swear in Grijalva or allow her to be sworn in by someone else.

Grijalva won a Sept. 23 special election in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District to replace her late father, former Rep. Raúl Grijalva. Her win came just days after Johnson sent the House home on Sept. 19 amid a standoff over funding the government, and he has refused to bring the lower chamber back as he jams the Senate.

Adelita Grijalva, a Democrat, has accused Johnson of slow walking her swearing-in ceremony because she has vowed to sign on to an effort to force a vote on legislation related to releasing files about the investigation into sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

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Bills, Bills, and More Bills

Last week was the deadline for Gov. Gavin Newsom to decide which of the 917 bills the legislature passed should become law. Newsom signed 794, vetoed 123, and the remainder became law without his signature. In the next few years, Californians are likely to see more dense housing near certain public transit stations, a boost to the state’s wildfire liability fund, and expanded oil drilling in the state.

Several of the new laws were signed in response to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement: a ban on law enforcement wearing masks, a law to protect schools and hospitals from warrantless immigration sweeps, and a new law that allows undocumented parents to name a guardian for their children in the event of their detention.

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EPA Clarifies its Interpretation of What Constitutes “Begin Actual Construction” in New Guidance, Plans Rulemaking for 2026

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued new guidance that clarifies its interpretation of "begin actual construction" under the Clean Air Act’s (CAA) New Source Review (NSR) preconstruction permitting program...This guidance will impact companies planning to build new major sources or make significant modifications to their facilities.

More on "Begin Actual Constructions" here.

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Construction Supervisors Strained by Safety, Mental Health, Training Gaps

• A new survey reveals that while construction supervisors and managers are accountable for both safety and culture, many say they lack the preparation and resources to deliver on those responsibilities.
• The findings come from Vector Solutions’ The State of Frontline Safety Leadership in Construction report, based on a survey of more than 600 full-time construction supervisors and managers across the U.S.
• More than 90% of the survey’s respondents said that structured supervisor training leads to fewer safety incidents. However, without stronger buy-in from leadership, supervisors are left to navigate hazards and sensitive crew issues in the dark.
• As well, workers are increasingly turning to their supervisors for support that extends well beyond day-to-day operations, as 71% say a crew member has approached them with personal issues such as mental health or substance abuse.

More

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Utah Now Runs the World's Largest Remote-Controlled Cloud Seeding Program

Utah's expansion of cloud seeding is starting to provide a return on investment, water policymakers were told recently. "Statewide average is 10.4% increase in snowpack," said Jake Serago, an engineer with the Utah Division of Water Resources, during a presentation to the state's water resources board on Thursday.

Story

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The Trump Administration Has Filed More Emergency Applications with the U.S. Supreme Court Than the Last Three Administrations

As of Oct. 6, the second Trump administration has filed 28 emergency applications with the U.S. Supreme Court. That’s more than the Bush, Obama, and Biden administrations combined (27). The first Trump administration filed 41 emergency applications with the Court. The emergency docket, also referred to as the shadow docket or the non-merits docket, is made up of applications for immediate intervention from the Court in cases that have not fully progressed through the ordinary procedures required for the Court to issue a regular opinion in a case. The Court usually resolves applications without signed orders and without oral argument.

MORE

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One New Ballot Measure Certified in California for 2026

While the number of statewide ballot measures (30) for this year is finalized, the total for next year will continue to increase until September 2026.

As of Oct. 14, 56 measures have been certified for the 2026 ballots. The most recent certification was on Oct. 2, when California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed legislation for the Allow Public Financing of Election Campaigns Measure. The measure would repeal the state's 1988 ban on public financing of campaigns and allow state and local governments to create programs that provide candidates with public funds. [Ballotpedia]

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San Diego Needs Your $$

A fight over short-term rental houses and vacation homes is brewing in San Diego. City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera has proposed asking voters to approve a new tax on the nearly 11,000 properties rented for short-term use, whether by individuals or through companies such as Airbnb, as well as vacation homes. The goal is to free up housing for San Diego residents and generate revenue for a city that was forced to raise fees and cut services to close a $350 million budget deficit earlier this year.

“It’s about restoring fairness and balance in our housing market,” argues Elo-Rivera, who’s aiming to get the measure before city voters on the June ballot. Details are in flux, but the initial proposal suggests an annual tax of $5,000 per bedroom, generating about $133 million.

But the proposal could be in for a rough ride, judging by its debut Wednesday before the council’s Rules Committee. Around 100 people testified against it, railing against a tax that would be in addition to the registration fees and transient occupancy taxes they already pay and would likely drive some of them out of business altogether. Opponents say it would eliminate jobs for cleaners, handymen, and landscapers who service the properties and provide fewer options for tourists. Supporters include housing advocates and municipal unions as well as city residents who say the proliferation of short-term rentals has hollowed out neighborhoods and made it harder to live in one of the most expensive American cities.

In the end, it cleared the committee in a 3-1 vote. City Councilmember Raul Campillo was the lone dissenter, arguing the measure unfairly punishes San Diegans who own short-term rentals, will hurt the economy, won’t generate as much revenue as projected, and, at a minimum, should be held until the November ballot, when more people vote. The proposal will get a complete financial analysis by the city and is expected to come back for another vote in January.

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California Bears Brunt of Cuts

The dust has settled on the Trump administration’s $8 billion axing of Energy Department funding, and California was the biggest loser in the nation. The feds cut more projects in the Golden State than anywhere else, according to a POLITICO analysis. Now, many of the state’s congressional leaders are calling foul, demanding a formal investigation into the terminations. Read last night’s California Climate to find out whose funding got cut and what the state’s leaders have to say about it.

A POLITICO analysis that found 79 out of the 321 projects that DOE slashed funding for Oct. 2 are in California, more than any other state.

Total hit to the Golden State: $3.3 billion in anticipated funding. (That’s $2.1 billion DOE had committed to recipients and $1.2 billion in expected funding for the ARCHES hydrogen hub.)

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Prop 50 Polling Suggests Victory

A CBS/YouGov poll had Prop 50 passing with 62 percent support, one of the highest marks of any public survey on the redistricting measure. Of the supporters, three-quarters said they were motivated by a desire to oppose Donald Trump, who has been central to the “yes” campaign’s messaging.

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Surprise, Union Returns to Ballot Box

A health care union has filed an initiative that would attempt to plug the state’s health care budget shortfall by imposing a one-time, 5 percent excise tax on the wealthiest Californians, reports POLITICO.

The 2026 Billionaire Tax Act would tax the “accumulated wealth” of California’s billionaires to create a reserve account of up to $25 billion that would backfill federal and state cuts to health care, according to papers filed with the state this week. Much of that money would restore Medi-Cal funding and other health programs, with the remaining funds allocated for the public education system.

“California has around 200 billionaires who together hold a staggering $2 trillion in wealth,” the measure reads. “A one-time 5% tax on California billionaires in this emergency, where the state budget is facing significant cuts to health care and education, is also fair.”

Earlier this year, Democratic legislators were set on raising revenue for Medi-Cal through new taxes. Still, the idea failed to gain traction after negotiations fizzled out over the summer, and the redistricting fight dominated the end of the legislative session.

With progress stalled in Sacramento, the union turned to the initiative process to move their priorities forward.

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Labor Rights in a Non-Union Workplace

Many employers believe that labor rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) apply only in a unionized workplace or during union organizing. However, that is not the case. All employees, union and non-union, are protected under the NLRA.

Section 7 of the NLRA provides in part that all non-supervisory employees have the right to engage in protected concerted activities (PCA) for collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection. This includes employees joining together to address workplace issues, such as remote work policies. Recent cases have expanded the scope of what qualifies as PCA, even recognizing specific individual actions as protected when tied to broader employee concerns. However, not all actions are protected, including conduct involving violence or issues unrelated to employment terms.

More

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Annual Cook Brown Labor & Employment Law Update

If you have not yet registered, you can reserve your place for this timely program and gain valuable insight from Cook Brown attorneys on the legal developments and compliance requirements that will shape workplace practices in 2026. Live Webinar – November 19, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM PT

Register