Former California union lobbyist and organizer Lorena Gonzalez barely lost her stride when she transitioned from her spot at the AFL-CIO into her role as California state assemblywoman in 2013. Since then, Gonzalez has done everything she can to turn working Californians into unionistas. To her, every subset of people is a potential bargaining unit. And to that end, she authored the disastrous Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) to destroy freelance work and eviscerate the so-called gig economy.
Everyone, Democrats included, scorn this law that would deprive them of the flexibility of working when they want, for whom they want – themselves. And they’re as mad as hornets that someone would presume to tell them how to schedule their time.
Says it all… #ab5stories #ab5 #ab5works https://t.co/WkRUBHsm3q
— Thomas K. Arnold (@TKArnold) February 19, 2020
It’s amazing, but Gonzalez and those who voted for this monstrosity have managed to tick off a huge swath of the electorate.
Performers are angry:
Got to discuss how overly broad #AB5 is today with Good Day LA Fox 11’s Sandra Endo. @TwinkleTime @brianralston @MariachiDivas_ #RepealAB5 #AB1928 pic.twitter.com/Q2heN3h3oR
— Lizelle Brandt (@LizelleBrandt) February 20, 2020
Court interpreters are hopping mad:
Hi Chris,
As a freelancer who has been affected by #ab5 and lives in Hillcrest, I’d like to know what is your take on this law?
Thank you.@ChrisWard4AD78— Gloria M. Rivera (@BlueUrpi) February 20, 2020
Certified health care interpreters are going to state lawmakers asking, hat in hand, for an exemption because it will kill their businesses:
Today I had the privilege of attending a mtg w/ the staff of Assemblyman @ChrisHoldenNews in support of an exemption from #AB5 for all language professionals. They gave us over an hour, listened to our stories & seemed to take our concerns to heart. #FreedomtoFreelance #FixAB5 pic.twitter.com/blcACuKwLL
— Jennifer Santiagos (@JenSantiagos) February 20, 2020
Truckers are angry:
'I have my own truck and my own permit. I like having the ability to take off work whenever I want without having to ask anyone.' #AB5 goes too far. pic.twitter.com/o9QhfQtlov
— Coalition of DMV Motor Carrier Permit Holders (@CoalitionMcph) February 19, 2020
Musicians and composers are singing the blues:
.@LorenaSGonzalez When 80 of the world's greatest living Rock stars (representing thousands upon thousands of independent musicians) come out to rail against AB5 for musicians, I would say that the legislators were listening to the wrong musician's for input on this law. No? pic.twitter.com/ci6sHB9CW2
— Brian Ralston (@brianralston) February 19, 2020
I’d like to add another story: Since Jan 1st I froze any&all investments I frequently make in my line of business (music) because of #AB5. This law destroys jobs, livelihoods, and will hurt SPENDING hard, by millions of ICs worried about deductions. Until you fix it @LorenaAD80
— Johann Frank (@johannfrank) February 18, 2020
Some people are moving out:
So my family is starting to plan to move out of CA, solely because of #AB5. @LorenaSGonzalez @LorenaAD80 @GavinNewsom
Would love input on cities to move to. We prefer warm weather, arts community and living in a city.
Fire away with suggestions!
— #RepealAB5 (@CaitsFate) February 19, 2020
Next week, Republican Assemblyman Kevin Kiley is hoping that enough California lawmakers have received enough blowback to put a stop to the madness.
It’s time to vote. On Feb. 27, I’ll be initiating a vote on #AB1928 (Repeal of #AB5) by the whole Assembly. pic.twitter.com/AbjxRg5U4E
— Kevin Kiley (@KevinKileyCA) February 18, 2020
He’s proposing to “suspend” AB 5 on February 27. His proposed bill, AB 1928, would essentially moot the law and freeze it until it can be rewritten.
Kiley says the governor has ignored the issue:
There’s no nice way to say it. @GavinNewsom’s failure to address the fallout from #AB5 in the State of the State was jarring. But he can still provide the leadership this moment demands by supporting next Thursday’s Suspension Vote. #CASOTS
— Kevin Kiley (@KevinKileyCA) February 19, 2020
As California Political Review explains:
If this [AB 1928] passes, the Democrats will have to re-do the legislation or put it on hold until all those who lose their income and the communities that need and want their services can find a legitimate avenue. In reality, this was written by the unions, for the unions and meant to force workers to pay bribes (dues) if they wanted to work.
I urge you to contact your Assembly member—even the Democrats, asking them to vote YES on suspension. This is very important.
They should just blow up AB 5 and pretend it never happened, but Kiley’s a Republican and California Democrats have a supermajority. They can do anything they want – including destroying the jobs of millions of Californians. They couldn’t have destroyed more jobs if they’d planned it. Maybe next week the Assembly rolls it back.
An earlier version of this article misattributed the quote from CPR to Assemblyman Kiley.
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