The 2020-21 Spending Plan: Labor and Employment Issues

Oct 5, 2020 - The budget plan includes 15 positions and $2.3  million special funds, increasing to 63 positions and $8.8  million special funds by 2023 ‑24, to add staff at the Labor Commissioner ’s Office to reduce delays for workers seeking unpaid wages.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4274

Federal Paid Leave for Workers Impacted by COVID-19

Mar 27, 2020 - As a result, some California workers, including those who work for app-based companies, may be employees under California law but independent contractors under federal law. These workers likely are not eligible to receive employer-paid federal leave benefits under H.R.  6201.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4212

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 6 (Corrections)

Jun 23, 2025 - Specifically, the agreement would (1)  remove Chuckawalla Valley State Prison (because the facility was deactivated) from the list of eligible institutions; (2)  add Salinas Valley State Prison to the list of eligible institutions; and (3)  establish that employees hired after September 8, 2025 at Avenal State Prison, Calipatria State Prison, Centinela State Prison, and Ironwood State Prison would not be eligible to receive the payment.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5058

The 2018-19 Budget: Meeting Workforce Demand for Certified Nursing Assistants in Skilled Nursing Facilities

Apr 27, 2018 - We also think re-determining eligibility for the add-on in 2019 ‑20 and incorporating the add-on into the regular reimbursement rate for each facility beginning in 2020 ‑21 are reasonable actions. Governor ’s CNA Proposals Fail to Address Key Barrier to Expanding Training Programs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3815

State Options to Expand Unemployment Benefits

Apr 9, 2020 - Add State Dollars on Top of Federal $600. Another option to increase UI benefits would be to establish a state add-on to the $600 across-the-board benefit provided under H.R. 748. According to the EDD, a flat add-on would be easier to implement than adjusting state benefit formulas, as outlined above.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4219

The 2020-21 Budget: Improving the State's Unpaid Wage Claim Process

Feb 19, 2020 - Governor ’s Proposal The 2020 ‑21 Governor ’s budget includes 15 positions and $2.3  million special funds, increasing to 63 positions and $8.8  million special funds ongoing by 2023 ‑24, to add settlement and hearing officers at the Labor Commissioner ’s Office to reduce delays for workers seeking unpaid wages.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4165

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 19 (Health and Social Services/Professional)

Sep 1, 2023 - The proposed agreement would amend the pay differential and add specified social worker classifications to be eligible for it. Under the amended pay differential, employees hired after the first day of the pay period following ratification by both parties would receive bonus payments equal to a specified percentage of base pay after every 12 consecutive months worked.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4797

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 5 (Highway Patrol)

Aug 23, 2024 - The agreement would add a new provision that specifies that the OIC payment would be paid to Unit 5 members who are assigned as an acting sergeant. The agreement specifies that the payment would continue to be considered compensation for retirement purposes.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4920

The 2022-23 Budget: State Payments on the Federal Unemployment Insurance Loan

Feb 15, 2022 - Businesses Set to Pay Add ‑On Federal UI Tax Beginning in 2023. To repay the federal loans, the federal UI payroll tax rate on employers will increase by 0.3  percent for tax year 2022. However, employers will not pay this higher rate until 2023  when employers remit their 2022 federal UI payroll taxes.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4543

The 2023-24 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

Jan 13, 2023 - Alternatively, the Legislature could add new out ‑year trigger reductions —in which spending triggers off under certain conditions —or by using other budget solutions, such as revenue increases or cost shifts.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4662