California's 2026 Legislative Session

·        California state lawmakers are facing another bleak budget year. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s January budget predicted a $2.9 billion deficit, down from $12 billion last year, which will force leaders to clarify their spending priorities. On top of that, federal funding from the Trump administration remains uncertain.

·        Newly sworn in Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón, who assumed her new position in November, has said she’ll focus on housing, energy, and healthcare, things she says will help bring down the cost of living for Californians. 

·        As Newsom enters the last year of his term, he has one more year to directly influence state politics. He spent a chunk of his State of the State address criticizing President Donald Trump for freezing billions of dollars in federal funds and carrying out aggressive immigration raids.

·        Conversations during recess and the beginning of session signal that the Legislature is expected to focus on how to combat the different issues opened up by an unstable relationship with the federal government, including a lack of funding for food banks and healthcare.

Here’s a look at some bills moving early in this session.

SB 33 (Cortese) This bill deletes the sunset date for a claims resolution process that enables contractors to seek public agency review of claims arising during public works projects. 1/14/2026 - From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13, Noes 0) (January 13). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. WECA Position: Support

SB 222 (Wiener) Establishes limitations and requirements for local agency permitting of residential heat pump heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and heat pump water heaters. 1/14/2026 - From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4, Noes 1) (January 14). WECA Position: Watch

SB 247 (Smallwood-Cuevas) This bill requires state agencies, in awarding contracts over $35 million using funds from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), or the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, to provide a bid preference up to 10%, depending on the number of total contract labor hours performed by individuals residing in a “distressed area” or “disadvantaged community.” Opposed by various union construction organizations, who argue contractors and subcontractors covered by collective bargaining agreements are obligated to hire workers dispatched from union hiring halls, and there are limited circumstances under which they can reject those workers. This measure provides that to receive a 10% bid preference, contractors must adopt ‘equity metrics’ that include ‘having a required percentage of the workforce for the contract living in areas below the poverty line, in communities disproportionately affected by environmental pollution, or in regions with high unemployment and low-income concentrations.’ In practice, this means that for signatory contractors and subcontractors to receive the 10% benefit, their labor partners must agree to only dispatch workers from specific communities for state-funded projects. 1/9/2026 - Set for hearing January 20. WECA Position: Rec Support

SB 342 (Umberg) This bill permits a contractor to recover compensation for work performed if the person was a duly licensed contractor at the time that the contract for the work was executed and during the portion of times of the performance of the act or contract for which they are seeking to recover, and limits the cause of action that a person who utilized an unlicensed contractor’s services may bring to recover compensation paid to the unlicensed contractor to the compensation paid for work performed during the time in which the contractor was unlicensed. 1/14/2026 - From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13, Noes 0) (January 13). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. WECA Position: Support

SB 343 (Grayson) This bill would authorize school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to deem a pupil who successfully completes coursework provided in an apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship program to have fulfilled, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school, the one course in visual or performing arts, foreign language, or career technical education requirement if the apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship program meets specified requirements, including, among others, that it is approved by the division or registered with the United States Department of Labor. Requires the coursework to be supervised by qualified industry instructors approved by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 3070) of Division 3 of the Labor Code or certified by the North America’s Building Trades Unions. 1/5/2026 - From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on ED. WECA Position: Oppose Unless Amended

AB 805 (Fong) Establishes the Career Apprenticeship Bridge (CAB) Program to be administered by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) for specific purposes, including to create pathways for pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs for individuals beginning in high school and connecting with college-level apprenticeships.  1/13/2026 - From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7, Noes 0) (January 13). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. WECA Position: Rec Support

AB 1198 (Haney) It requires contractors to pay the new prevailing wage whenever DIR changes it. AB 2182 (Haney) of 2024 contained identical provisions to this bill. Governor Newsom vetoed the measure. AB 1140 (Daly) of 2013 was identical to this bill and was vetoed by Governor Jerry Brown. Will third time be a charm? 5/23/2025 - In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. (Set for hearing on 01/22/2026) WECA Position: Oppose

AB 1235 (Rogers) Prohibits a contractor from being prequalified for, shortlisted for, or awarded a design-build contract with the Trustees of the California State University unless the contractor provides an enforceable commitment to the trustees that the contractor and its subcontractors at every tier will use a skilled and trained workforce to perform all work on the project or contract 5/23/2025 - In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. (Set for hearing on 01/22/2026) WECA Position: Watch

AB 1439 (Garcia) Establishes preconditions on public employee retirement system investments and financing of existing and new development projects in California. Requires STWF but not a PLA. 1/14/2026 - From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5, Noes 0) (January 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. WECA Position: Watch

Sources Say MAGA Torn Between Outrage and Admiration

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer is facing the biggest crisis of her tenure, following an explosive New York Post report late Friday.

The New York Post reported that DOL’s inspector general recently received a complaint accusing Chavez-DeRemer of having an extramarital affair with a subordinate, drinking on the job, and finagling official travel to suit her personal schedule, among other items. (Okay, which of us hasn’t done one or more of these?)

DOL and the White House have lined up in defense of Chavez-DeRemer, denouncing the accusations as the work of a disgruntled former employee and saying that the secretary is considering legal action in response. Agency spokesperson Courtney Parella referred Shift to comments given to the New York Post that the “unsubstantiated allegations are categorically false. Secretary Chavez-DeRemer has complied with all ethics rules and Department policies and remains fully engaged in carrying out the Department’s work on behalf of this historic Administration,” the statement read.

The Post story rocketed through Republican and labor circles over the weekend, though the consensus reaction was, above all, surprisingly positive, with GOP sources expressing skepticism given her relatively clean political history, according to more than a dozen people who spoke with Nick.

“I know nothing about this one way or another, but I think you’re wise to see it as out of character & approach it carefully and deliberately,” texted one person involved with the Trump transition who did not want to speak publicly.

Chavez-DeRemer was not part of Trump’s inner circle before joining the Cabinet, and the president has openly ribbed her as functionally a Democrat, given her support from the Teamsters union that was critical to her landing the Labor job. Yet she has made inroads, opening for the president at a December rally in North Carolina and Vice President JD Vance in Pennsylvania days earlier.

She did not make the rounds on Friday to discuss the monthly jobs report, typically one of the highest-profile duties for the labor secretary, with place. Chavez-DeRemer was also unavailable during December’s release, which occurred as she was traveling for the Vance event.

Part of the complaint highlights her frequent cross-country travel, something she herself has touted, including in an interview with the right-leaning Washington Reporter released Friday. Chavez-DeRemer vowed to visit all 50 states in her first year in office but is more than a dozen shy,?which she said in a recent podcast interview was in part because of the government shutdown.

Congressional Republicans closely scrutinized Joe Biden administration Labor Secretary Marty Walsh’s travel schedule, due to the administration’s remote work policies and because the former Boston mayor maintained his residence in Massachusetts and commuted to Washington.

None of the top Democrats or Republicans on Congress’s labor committees responded to media requests for comment.

Not missing an opportunity, Rep. Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.) took a jab at Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito’s past extramarital affair as his office investigates the allegations raised against Chavez-DeRemer in the New York Post’s report.

"D’Esposito’s firsthand experience with inappropriate workplace relationships will be valuable in this investigation," Gillen wrote on X.

The New York Times reported in 2024 that the then-New York representative put his fiancée’s daughter and a woman he was having an affair with on his congressional payroll. A spokesperson for D’Esposito at the time did not deny he was involved in an affair but declined to comment on the employment of either woman. [Politico]

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Trump's NLRB Picks Sworn In

The National Labor Relations Board officially regained a quorum recently as President Donald Trump’s appointees were sworn in. The Senate confirmed James Murphy and Scott Mayer as board members, along with dozens of other nominees to various federal agencies, in mid-December. The bundle also included Crystal Carey, who was also sworn in as the NLRB’s general counsel.

The two new board members join the lone remaining Democratic appointee, David Prouty, whose term expires in August. Trump has yet to name any picks for the remaining two vacancies.

The NLRB was unable to issue decisions or take other actions for nearly all of 2025 after Trump fired ex-Chair Gwynne Wilcox shortly after taking office, leaving just Prouty and Republican Marvin Kaplan on the board. Kaplan left when his term expired in August.

Murphy’s term runs until December 2027, and Mayer’s goes through late 2029. It is unclear which of them will chair the board; the White House did not explain the president's preference.

Wilcox has challenged her termination, citing statutory protections against being fired without cause, though a federal appellate panel sided with the Trump administration in December. Earlier this week, she requested a rehearing before the full bench of judges at the D.C. Circuit.

Murphy spent nearly a half-century at the NLRB before retiring at the end of 2021. Prior to his confirmation, Mayer served as Boeing's chief labor counsel.

Carey was a partner at the management-side labor law firm Morgan Lewis. She also previously worked as an aide to Philip Miscimarra, who served as NLRB chairman for several months in the first year of Trump’s first term.

The NLRB is facing a substantial backlog of cases due to the nearly full year the board lacked the minimum number of members to fully operate. Democrats in California and New York passed laws last year that sought to give state agencies the power to hear private-sector labor disputes in the NLRB’s place, but both were swiftly blocked by federal courts in recent weeks. [Politico]

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Why Do the Trades Care About the IC?

The State Building and Construction Trades Council of California endorsed Steven Bradford’s bid for insurance commissioner, according to his campaign. The former state senator has also pulled labor support from the Teamsters California and unions representing welders and sprinkler fitters, among others, as he campaigns against state Sen. Ben Allen and financial analyst Patrick Wolff. “Steven Bradford has spent his career fighting for good-paying jobs, protecting workers’ rights, and investing in infrastructure that strengthens our economy,” Trades President Chris Hannan said in a statement.

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AEDs Required

Asm. Pilar Schiavo authored AB 365, which went into effect on Jan. 1 and “requires automated external defibrillators at high- and medium-voltage worksites to prevent electrocution deaths and save lives.” The bill honors the late Justin Kopp, an “electrician who was electrocuted and would've been saved.”



 

Packing the Court?

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox's proposal could be the first expansion of a state's supreme court since 2016. His recent budget proposal includes nearly $3 million allocated to add two justices to the state's Supreme Court and two judges to its Court of Appeals. Currently, the Supreme Court has five justices, and the Court of Appeals has seven.

Deseret News’ Brigham Tomco wrote that “the proposal coincides with an increase in workload for Utah’s highest courts, and intends to speed up decisions, according to legislative leadership. It also comes amid Republican frustration over recent rulings that have stalled legislation and scrapped legal precedent.”

Utah is one of 16 states with a five-member Supreme Court. Additionally, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, one of the state’s two courts of last resort, also has five justices.

Twenty-eight state supreme courts have seven justices, the most common number. Seven state supreme courts have nine justices. Additionally, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals — one of the state’s two courts of last resort — also has nine justices.

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Is Kari Lake Eyeing Green[er] Pastures?

It’s not every day that a $58,500 condo purchase in Iowa catches the political world’s attention. But Kari Lake is not your typical homeowner. Lake, the two-time Republican nominee for top Arizona political offices, bought a condominium in the eastern Iowa city of Davenport in November. The transaction, earlier reported by MS Now, reignited speculation about whether she is eyeing a political campaign in Iowa, the first-in-the-nation Republican presidential caucus state where she grew up and attended college before moving to Arizona in 1994. Arizona was not kind to Lake's political ambitions, as she lost bids for governor and the Senate in the past four years. Those battleground-state defeats have left some political observers and Bob Bartlett wondering whether Lake, now serving as a media adviser in the Trump administration, might try again in solidly red Iowa. In a statement, Lake said only that she was focused on her work in Washington, but she offered some praise for the place where she grew up. “I love Iowa, and Bob,” she said, adding that it’s “where so much of my story began.” If she does run, it’s unclear which office she might seek, but Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican, is 92 and might not seek re-election in 2028 (his ghost would probably be re-elected in Iowa). As for the condo, a family trust tied to Lake bought the two-bedroom, one-bathroom, 967-square-foot property in November, according to county records. Lake has three sisters and other extended family members in Iowa, and she grew up near Davenport. [Politico]

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Love My Football (and Ballot Measures)

State Sen. Mike McGuire, the chamber’s former Democratic leader, used his ballot measure committee to pay for a $40,000 Las Vegas trip to see the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl.

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Electrical Hazards Remain Major Workplace Safety Risk

• Electrical hazards remain a significant workplace safety risk, according to OSHA standards designed to prevent shocks, electrocutions, burns, and fires.
• A recent incident at Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe project involved a technician who contacted an energized 480-volt busbar while performing maintenance.
• The worker sustained serious injuries, and OSHA issued a citation and fine.
• Federal regulations outline required electrical-safety practices for employers across general industry.

READ MORE

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Do As I Say, Not As I Do

On the campaign trail in 2024, Rob Bresnahan campaigned on the issue of ending the practice of stock trading by members of Congress, saying “the idea that we can buy and sell stocks while voting on legislation that will have a direct impact on these companies is wrong and needs to come to an end immediately.”

But after winning his election and entering Congress last year, the first-term Pennsylvania Republican has been a prolific trader, with 648 trades, ranking him fifth among members of Congress. Naturally, since he occupies a battleground House district, his trading habits have become a top issue in his reelection campaign; it’s the first issue on his Democratic opponent’s website. Among the trades was selling up to $130,000 in stock of Medicaid providers a week before he voted to cut Medicaid in President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.”

Last June, he also bought stock in a major data center supplier that subsequently rose by more than 100 percent. At the same time, he was encouraging the construction of data centers in his Pennsylvania district. Bresnahan’s team said he no longer trades individual stocks and that his financial adviser made the trades without his knowledge.

Still, his activity, and that of other frequent traders in Congress, has shone a spotlight on the issue and fueled efforts by some members to ban it. While some members argue that such a ban infringes on their ability to manage their personal finances and could dissuade people from running for office, more than 80 percent of Americans support it, according to a 2023 poll.

Recent years have brought increasing scrutiny to the practice after numerous stories surfaced about members buying and selling stocks while simultaneously serving on committees that could have given them non-public insight into the companies and how they would be affected by Washington policies. But public attention began to build after Republicans publicized how much the husband of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi traded stocks. In 2021, asked about the practice, Pelosi said, “We are a free-market economy. They should be able to participate in that.”

Even Pelosi allies winced at that remark, with some telling the New York Times that they view her resistance to banning the practice as a rare blemish on her legacy. There are now websites that expressly track congressional stock trading: Quiver Quantitative and Capitol Trades. There’s even a “Pelosi Tracker” app that provides users with detailed info on every transaction that the Pelosis have disclosed. Pelosi now says she is likely to support a bill to ban the practice, and Trump has indicated he would support such an effort as well.

There’s no shortage of interest in addressing the issue. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) and other House Republicans hoping to ban the practice have threatened for months to launch a discharge petition to circumvent leadership and force a floor vote on a full trading ban.

The House Administration Committee will hold a markup on Wednesday morning on a closely watched plan from GOP leadership to crack down on lawmaker insider trading.

But it’s not a done deal. Senior House Democrats are deeply opposed to the plan and will seek to make changes, arguing the bill does not constitute a full ban on congressional stock trading. And many Republican senators strongly oppose any changes to the rules — the Senate might not even take up the bill if it passes the House. [Politico]

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Can She Survive?

Assembly Democrats have their sights trained on a Riverside County seat that Republicans won last year, if they can get one of their own candidates through the primary unscathed.

Last year, Leticia Castillo flipped the open Southern California seat red, defeating Democrat Clarissa Cervantes, who had hoped to succeed her sister in the state Assembly, by just under 600 votes. It was part of a nationwide conservative shift that reached into deep-blue California, where Assembly Democrats also lost another district in Imperial County.

Democrats are optimistic they can reclaim the seats because they both have large blue advantages. Former Vice President Kamala Harris and Sen. Adam Schiff won Castillo’s district, which has a 13.5-point Democratic voter registration advantage, according to California Target Book.

But first they must get through the top-two primary, where two Democrats — Cervantes, the sister of state Sen. Sabrina Cervantes, and realtor Paco Licea — are running against Castillo.

Clarissa Cervantes, who serves on the Riverside City Council, has two DUI convictions, including one from 2023, when California GOP gave her the nickname “Swerving Cervantes.” And while her family’s status in the Democratic Party makes her hard to write off, Licea is already using Cervantes’ political experience and previous loss against her, saying he, by contrast, is “not a lifetime politician.”

“She had her opportunity,” he said. “The constituents voted, and they thought that maybe she wasn't the best option. And so I decided that I think I would be a more viable option based on my background and my history and experience.”

Cervantes in a statement to Playbook blamed poor turnout from Democrats and independents for her defeat, saying that getting voters to the polls “is going to be a major focus of our campaign next year.”

“It's becoming clear that voters who didn't participate last year are waking up to what's happening and realizing they need to vote for representation that puts people ahead of the powerful and the extreme politics,” she added.

The California Democratic Party won’t endorse a candidate until early next year, and the Riverside County party will follow its lead. Joy Silver, the local party chair, wouldn’t discount Cervantes, highlighting her name recognition.

"It's a good time for women in the party," she said, adding, "people do like a good redemption story."

Lori Stone, the county’s GOP chair, said that Republicans are feeling good about the race, although their Prop 50 loss made “patriots on the ground realize that there is a lot more hard work to be done.”

Castillo, for her part, expressed an air of confidence about her reelection.

"As we head into next year, I’ll continue listening to our community, building bipartisan coalitions where possible, and standing firm in my commitment to pragmatic, commonsense leadership,” she said in a statement to Politico.

“I’m confident that voters in the 58th District want representation that puts their needs first, and that’s exactly what I’ll keep doing.” [Politico]

 

Alaska Contractor Challenges Trump/Biden PLA Mandate on Federal Projects

An Alaska mechanical contractor filed suit to challenge the federal PLA mandate as exceeding statutory authority and violating the non-delegation doctrine. The company is fighting to restore both its right to compete for federal work and the proper separation of powers between Congress and the president. Both the Biden and Trump administrations have claimed authority under the Procurement Act to impose a PLA. But Congress only authorized the executive branch to oversee the government’s internal procurement process, not to impose regulatory mandates on contractors’ labor policies that Congress never contemplated or approved. And if the Procurement Act is the blank check the president claims it is, it violates the constitutional prohibition against delegating lawmaking power to the executive branch.

Story

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Utah Becomes the Sixth State with a New Congressional Map Ahead of the 2026 Elections

Utah became the sixth state to adopt a new congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterms. On Nov. 10, a district court judge rejected a redrawn map submitted by the Utah Legislature. It would have maintained four Republican-leaning districts. Instead, the judge adopted a proposal from the plaintiffs in the case that shifts one of the state’s four congressional districts towards Democrats. Currently, all four members of the Utah U.S. House delegation are Republicans. According to court filings, the new Democratic-leaning Salt Lake City district is approximately 43% Republican. Taken together with redistricting in California, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas, Utah’s map could yield a net gain of 3 districts nationwide. Previously, California voters approved Proposition 50, allowing a new map that makes five districts more favorable to Democrats according to the 2024 presidential results to take effect in the state. The new Texas map shifts five Democratic districts toward Republicans according to the 2024 presidential results. New maps in Missouri and North Carolina each aim to add one more Republican district. Ohio’s new map makes two Democratic-held districts more Republican, according to recent election results shared by the redistricting commission.

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Ruh-roh

Politico reports the California Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) released its fiscal outlook for the 2026-2027 budget year, and the state’s finances are not looking good. The LAO estimates Gavin Newsom and the Legislature will be dealing with an $18 billion shortfall, about $5 billion more than the governor’s administration projected in June, even with revenue exceeding expectations. It also projects the state’s deficit will balloon to $35 billion annually starting during the 2027-2028 budget year.

The office suggested California may need to take more drastic measures than in recent years, as “the state has used most of its budget resiliency tools to address prior deficits.”

One factor contributing to the state’s weak budget situation is a potential AI bubble that the LAO warns could burst. This has been the case with past tech innovations that led to significant investments and stock gains. While the AI market is boosting state income tax revenue, the office sees signs of an “overheated” market that could trigger a boom-and-bust cycle, with “dire” consequences for the state.

Newsom’s Department of Finance will release its own financial projections in January, when the governor presents his initial budget plan. In the past, his administration’s outlook has differed from the LAO’s estimates, and the governor has been critical of gloomy coverage of the nonpartisan analyst’s annual fall outlook that could reflect poorly on him.

AI as a Recruiting Tool for Attracting Next-generation Construction Workers?

The construction industry is at a critical juncture. Persistent labor shortages, an aging workforce, and high turnover rates are forcing general contractors to rethink how they attract and retain talent. To meet demand in 2025 alone, the industry will need to hire an estimated 439,000 additional workers, according to the Associated Builders and Contractors.

At the same time, the digital transformation in construction is gaining momentum as AI reshapes the global economy. A recent McKinsey report found that 92% of companies plan to increase their AI investments over the next three years. Firms that embrace advanced construction AI not only improve project outcomes but also position themselves as desirable employers for the next generation of workers.

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Weather Machine Politics

Utah is a Republican state, and many of its officials support long-running weather modification programs that help with the state's water supply. Unfortunately for them, the MAHA movement opposes these programs, especially cloud seeding. And the movement has a powerful ally inside the Trump administration: “I’m going to do everything in my power to stop it,” RFK Jr. told meteorologist, psychic, and brain surgeon Dr. Phil in April. NOTUS’ Margaret Manto and reporter Addy Baird from Washington Bureau Initiative partner The Salt Lake Tribune report on how the GOP’s changing politics around science are playing out in Western states.

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5 Tips for Dealing with Law Enforcement at Work

Every employer should have a law enforcement response plan, experts said recently at the American Bar Association’s annual labor and employment law conference.

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UC Construction Criticism

Politico reported that “A union representing University of California employees is accusing the school system of overspending on construction projects while at the same time laying off its members because of financial pressures. The University Professional and Technical Employees, which counts in its ranks more than 18,000 healthcare workers, researchers and technical support staff, released a report blasting the university for what it described as ‘extravagant spending’ on hospitals and other health care facilities – a claim university officials reject.”

In leveling the allegation, the union pointed to the UC’s ongoing funding for new construction, $20.8 billion in active projects, $31.6 billion in planned projects, and $1.4 billion earmarked for land acquisitions through 2030. The spending, it said, exceeds industry standards and exceeds what was spent on previous projects the university officials identified as similar in scope.

The outlay is particularly troublesome, the union said, given the university’s decision to lay off hundreds of healthcare workers this year, including 230 at UC San Diego Health and 200 at UCSF Health. UC officials have blamed the layoffs on ongoing threats to federal funding stemming largely from the impact of the mega-spending bill Congress passed in June, saying the “federal impacts to health care” and "diminished reimbursements for services” made the staffing cuts necessary.

“We do not have a problem with investing in capital projects,” Dan Russell, president of UPTE, said in an interview. “But when it comes at the expense of investments in frontline staff, investments in patient care, in research and education, that's where we have a problem.” I wonder if Dan would recommend UC eschew PLAs to reduce UC construction costs?

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Fallout

So far, gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra has escaped the bright spotlight focused on Gov. Gavin Newsom in the money pilfering scandal involving their former top aides. But that could change. It seems only a matter of time before one of Becerra’s campaign rivals seizes the federal fraud case for attack fodder. I can hear it already: “If the man who wants to be governor can’t protect his own political funds, he shouldn’t be trusted to safeguard your tax money.” That might not be fair, but this is big-time politics. And the word “fair” isn’t in the political dictionary. Neither Becerra nor Newsom is implicated in any wrongdoing.

Story

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Contractor Backlog Slips, Strength Depends on Sector

The data spotlights the difference between contractors with work tied to growth sectors and those exposed to softer areas of the construction industry. For example, nearly 65% of contractors think construction activity is contracting, said Anirban Basu, ABC chief economist. That outlook aligns with October’s lowest backlog reading since May. At the same time, 23% of firms expect sales to decline in the next six months, the largest share in more than a year.

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More 2026 Candidates

Eric Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign appears imminent and not just because a fundraising page for his campaign was posted on the Democratic platform ActBlue before being taken down Sunday.

Allies have for weeks been circulating polling emphasizing his opening to run as a more moderate alternative to Katie Porter. The Bay Area representative has been making overtures to California labor and other interest groups regarding a run, a key step toward overcoming skepticism in Sacramento fueled by his poor presidential primary performance in 2019 and lack of roots in the state capital. He spent election night not in Washington or his district, but at a local party event in Los Angeles. Alex Padilla’s decision this month not to run for governor opened a path for Swalwell to be the only sitting member of Congress in the race.

There’s also urgency for Swalwell to get in soon. Unlike two other possible entrants, billionaires Rick Caruso and Tom Steyer, he isn’t wealthy and will need to raise money quickly to break through in a crowded field.

Meantime, he’s planning to have at least his second meeting with long-shot Democratic contender Stephen J. Cloobeck, who told Playbook he’d consider backing Swalwell financially and otherwise if he gets in.

“I’m optimistic after meeting all the existing and past candidates that there may be a there, there with Eric. He’s a Fighter and Protector^TM,” Cloobeck said in a text message. [Politico]

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AZ Rep. Adelita Grijalva Takes Office, Ending the Second-Longest U.S. House Vacancy of the 119th Congress

On Nov. 12, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) swore Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) into the U.S. House of Representatives, filling the vacancy in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District. Grijalva’s swearing-in brings the Republicans’ majority in the chamber to 219 to 214 with two vacancies.

The vacancy occurred because Grijalva’s father, Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), died on March 13. In the Sept. 23 special election to fill the vacancy, Grijalva defeated Daniel Butierez (R) 69% to 29%.

The House was out of session from Sept. 19 to Nov. 12, when they returned and approved the continuing resolution that ended the federal government shutdown. On Oct. 2, 180 House Democrats sent a letter to Johnson asking him to swear in Grijalva during a pro forma session. Johnson said he could not swear in Grijalva during a pro forma session and that he would swear her in when everyone returned.

Not including the special election in Arizona's 7th Congressional District, there have been four other special elections to fill vacancies in the 119th Congress (2025-2027). Johnson swore in three winners—Randy Fine (R-Fla.), Jimmy Patronis (R-Fla.), and James Walkinshaw (D-Va.)—of those special elections the day after their respective elections. Both Fine and Patronis were sworn in during a pro forma session. The other special election, in Texas's 18th Congressional District, advanced to a runoff. As of this writing, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has not yet announced a date for the runoff. [Morning Brew]

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How a Book on Workplace Safety Became a Best Seller

• Professor Matthew Hallowell, who founded the University of Colorado Boulder’s Construction Safety Research Alliance in 2018, recently published a book summarizing more than 100 journal papers on workplace safety.
• “Energy-Based Safety: A Scientific Approach to Preventing Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIF)” summarizes the research in reader-friendly terms. Within 48 hours of announcing pre-order for the book on Amazon, it became a best-seller in its genre.
• The book explores the unique causes of injuries and fatalities: the so-called “Energy Wheel.”
• “Anytime somebody gets hurt, energy from the environment is contacting them,” Hallowell says in an interview.

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Heard This Before

Per the Union-Tribune, “San Diego Supervisors voted 4-1 to back Supervisor Joel Anderson and Paloma Aguirre’s pitch to lead a county subcommittee that will dig into county contracts and how the county could save cash and improve services. The bipartisan duo said their goal is to investigate where the county can save money without disrupting services and potentially change policies that are impeding progress and revenue opportunities for county government.” Here’s my suggestion: reject union PLA proposals for all county projects!

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Flu Season

A new virus variant and lagging vaccinations could lead to a severe flu season in the US. Health experts are closely monitoring a mutated strain called subclade K, which has caused early surges in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan. Flu activity in the US remains low but is rapidly increasing, according to a CDC report. Early analysis indicates that this season's flu vaccines offer some protection against hospitalization from this variant, especially for children. However, data shows many Americans are skipping their flu shots this year. This follows a particularly severe flu season last winter, when the US experienced its highest hospitalization rates in nearly 15 years, and at least 280 children died from influenza, the highest number since 2004.

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California Battery Energy Storage Systems Legislation Update: Safety Requirements and AB 205 “Opt-In” Procedures Amended

In the wake of a catastrophic battery storage facility fire in Moss Landing in January that burned over half the batteries in a 300-megawatt (MW) installation in Monterey County, 2025 has been a rollercoaster year for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) regulations.

Introduced within days of the Moss Landing fire, Assembly Bill (AB) 303 (Addis) would have immediately banned utility-scale BESS within 3,200 feet of sensitive receptors and removed BESS from eligibility for the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) “Opt-In” permitting procedure under AB 205 (2022) (and required the CEC to deny pending applications).

As the (literal) dust settled, Governor Newsom called for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to investigate the incident. The CPUC’s investigation, conducted by the Safety and Enforcement Division (SED), as well as several other agencies that investigated water and soil contamination relating to the fire, found no significant impacts. Meanwhile, the CPUC adopted modifications to its General Order (GO) 167 on March 13, 2025, adding new safety standards for BESS.

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Yawn

Feeling bummed about it getting dark so early? Think of the people living in Utqiagvik, Alaska, 330 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Yesterday at 1:36 pm local time, the sun set and it won’t rise again until January 22. For 64 days, residents will experience polar night. Over the entire year, Utqiagvik gets about the same amount of daylight as Miami or any other place on Earth because we all get roughly the same number of hours of sunlight over 365 days. The sun will rise in Utqiagvik in mid-May and won’t set again until August.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

As we wrap up another busy year in construction, Thanksgiving gives us a moment to pause and appreciate the people who make the electrical and low-voltage industry strong.

To the contractors, journeyworkers, apprentices, electrician trainees, estimators, project managers, and everyone who keeps jobs moving, thank you. Your skill, grit, and commitment build more than structures. You build communities, opportunities, and a better future for the people who live and work in the spaces you create.

This season, we’re grateful for your partnership, trust, and the work you do every day: often early, often late, and often in conditions most people never see.

Wishing you and your families a safe, restful, and well-earned Thanksgiving.

Warm regards,

Rex, Richard and the WECA Government Relations Team

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.

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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

Register

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.

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