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Thursday, October 9, 2025   WECA Political Update October 9, 2025

Undecided About Prop 50?

Proposition 50 would require California to use new congressional district maps through 2030. Use of independent Citizens Redistricting Commission maps would resume in 2031.

Governor Newsom and Democrats in the legislature argue that the “Election Rigging Response Act” is a temporary, emergency proposal to counter mid-decade partisan gerrymanders underway in Texas and other red states that are designed to benefit President Trump and the Republican Party. Republicans counter that California should not return to partisan redistricting in which the party in power controls the maps.

Proponents from each campaign will present their arguments in a debate moderated by Rich Ehisen of Capitol Weekly and Juliet Williams of CalMatters. Rusty Hicks, Chair of the California Democratic Party, will represent the Yes side. Patricia Sinay of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission will represent the No side. California Votes: Proposition 50 will be held from Noon – 1:30 PM, Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the UC Student and Policy Center in Sacramento – or, attend via ZOOM from anywhere.

There is no cost to attend this event, but registration is required.

Schweikert Launches Campaign for Arizona Governor

Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) launched his campaign for governor of Arizona last week, giving up his battleground House seat to seek higher office. “I've grown to believe Washington ... is unsavable,” Schweikert told Axios Phoenix. “I do believe Arizona is savable.”

There is already a crowded Republican primary field to challenge Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. Rep. Andy Biggs and Karrin Taylor Robson, who came in second to Kari Lake in the 2022 gubernatorial primary, have both been endorsed by President Donald Trump. Schweikert, who has represented his suburban Phoenix seat since 2011, told Axios he has a more battle-tested record.

One and Done

First-term California State Assemblyman Stan Ellis (R-Bakersfield) announced he would not seek re-election to his Bakersfield-centric seat. Now, Kern County Supervisor David Couch, who was vying to replace State Sen. Shannon Grove (R–Bakersfield), announced his bid for Ellis’ 32nd Assembly District. Story

Keeling Confirmed to Head OSHA, Palmer at MSHA

  • The Senate confirmed David Keeling as the new leader of OSHA last Friday. Trump nominated him on February 12, 2025.
  • Most recently, he served as Director of Global Road and Transportation Safety at Amazon from July 2021 to May 2023.
  • During his confirmation hearing, Keeling outlined his goals for OSHA, including modernizing regulatory oversight and rulemaking, increasing OSHA’s cooperation and collaboration efforts, and utilizing data to enhance onsite safety efforts through predictive analytics.
  • The chamber also confirmed Wayne Palmer as Assistant Secretary for the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
  • READ MORE

Captive Audience Meetings: Prohibitions Remain on Hold

Last year, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 399, codified as California Labor Code section 1137, into law. This statute bans employers from holding captive audience meetings, which are mandatory employer-sponsored meetings that discuss religious or political matters, including unionization. California is one of at least 12 states that have passed captive audience laws at the urging of labor unions.

On September 30, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California issued a preliminary injunction in California Chamber of Commerce et al. v. Bonta et al., temporarily blocking enforcement of SB 399. Plaintiffs in the case argued that SB 399 is preempted by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and infringes upon employers’ rights under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Defendants, meanwhile, asserted that SB 399 is an anti-retaliation statute targeting protected employee autonomy, and not a restriction on employer speech. They contended that SB 399 merely prohibits punishing employees who refrain from attending certain meetings. More

Are Utilities Trying to Kill Rooftop Solar?

As state lawmakers propose to expand solar power, one solar energy advocacy group is accusing California’s two largest utility companies of dragging their feet when it comes to hooking up solar panels to the electric grid, writes CalMatters’ Malena Carollo.

State regulators are currently reviewing a complaint lodged by the California Solar & Storage Association that says that Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison routinely miss state-mandated deadlines for connecting solar panels and face no punishment. The delays cause panel owners to lose significant amounts of money and slow California’s transition to renewable energy, the solar group alleges.

Utilities, for example, are given 10 business days to acknowledge someone’s request for “interconnection” — a complex process led by utilities to make sure solar arrays are correctly installed. PG&E’s median time to acknowledge a request was 20 days, and the longest it took was 245 days, according to the association.

PG&E and SoCal Edison say they are working with regulators to address the claims. But advocates say that with the way things stand now, there is little incentive for utilities to follow the rules.

More

For the Second Consecutive Year, California Expands Reasons Employees Can Use Job-Protected Paid Sick and Safe Time, Unpaid Leave

On October 1, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 406 to expand the reasons employees can take leave under California’s Healthy Workplaces Healthy Families Act (HWHFA), the statewide paid sick and safe time law, and under California Government Code section 12945.8, which provides job-protected unpaid leave for various reasons. This year’s amendments come only one year and a day after these two laws were last amended. Read More

Senate Bill 617: California Expands CalWARN Notice Requirements

Governor Newsom has signed Senate Bill (SB) 617, which expands the information employers are required to include under the California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (CalWARN). Employers are now required to state whether they plan to coordinate services for affected employees through the local workforce development board (LWDB), another entity, or not at all. Regardless of their choice, employers must provide the LWDB’s contact information and a description of its services in the notice. The new requirements under SB 617 will take effect January 1, 2026.

Story

Senate Bill 303: California Sets Forth Protections for Bias Training

On October 1, 2025, California’s Governor signed Senate Bill (SB) 303, which states that an employee’s assessment, testing, admission, or acknowledgment of their own personal bias, when made in good faith and solicited or required as part of a bias mitigation training, does not, by itself, constitute unlawful discrimination. This law amends the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), which requires employers to prevent workplace discrimination, including providing specified harassment prevention training.

The stated purpose of the law is to encourage employers to conduct bias mitigation training and to affirm that conducting such training does not, by itself, constitute unlawful discrimination.

This law will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Newsom Signs Law Granting State Agency Authority Over Private Sector Labor Disputes

On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 288 (AB 288), which grants a California state agency the authority to enforce federal labor law in the absence of action by the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”). With this bill, California joins the State of New York in passing legislation that allows state agencies to usurp the powers delegated to the NLRB by Congress. Story

Will California Hamper Arbitration in PAGA Employment Lawsuits?

In Leeper v. Shipt, the California Supreme Court will revisit the ongoing question of whether, and to what extent, employees can pursue litigation in court for violation of the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), Labor Code § 2698, et seq., despite signing valid and binding arbitration agreements. Story

PLA Laden Program Killed

The Trump administration slashed funding for California’s flagship hydrogen energy hub, a blow to the nascent industry and the state’s broader renewable energy goals.

The U.S. Department of Energy cancelled its commitment to provide up to $1.2 billion in federal funding to the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems, the Irvine-based public-private partnership set up to distribute funding to hydrogen projects across California. The cut came on the first day of the government shutdown. However, the Energy Department had already been conducting a review of more than $15 billion in awards issued under the Biden administration.

In a letter to ARCHES leadership, department officials instructed the organization to cease all activities related to the funded project after Wednesday. ARCHES may not incur new project costs and must cancel as many outstanding obligations as possible, according to the Energy Department.

The move drew swift condemnation from California leaders. “In Trump’s America, energy policy is set by the highest bidder, economics and common sense be damned,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “We’ll continue to pursue an all-of-the above clean energy strategy that powers our future and cleans the air, no matter what DC tries to dictate.”

The Energy Department grant used a reimbursable structure, and ARCHES had already started spending some of the funds. It is unclear how much money the federal government owes the organization.

The Building Trades touted the project when it was proposed: “Support among labor unions continues to grow across California for ARCHES hydrogen hub effort. Many see the hub as being beneficial to the state as it will speed up the development and deployment of clean, renewable energy projects and infrastructure in California.

“The Building Trades are proud to stand as a partner with ARCHES and are hopeful that California will be awarded an H2 hub,” said Andrew Meredith, President of the State Building & Construction Trades Council of California.

Meredith added that ARCHES’ proposal includes a number of projects that will mean new jobs for Californians.

“These projects represent the future of California, and we look forward to working together in coming months to bring this vision to life,” Meredith said.

I’m Out of Here

The Sun reports that Fresno County Supervisor Buddy Mendes won’t run for reelection next year. “Mendes, a dairy farmer from Riverdale, will wrap up his service at the county with a dozen years in the position once he retires. In his place, Mendes is endorsing former Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims to succeed him as the District 4 Supervisor. That sets up a three-way race for District 4, with Parlier Mayor Alma Beltran and State Center Community College District Trustee Danielle Para running against Mims.” Story

DOT Guts DBE Program Ahead of Construction Inclusion Week

The U.S. Department of Transportation has removed sex and race as criteria for automatic certification in its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, according to an interim final rule announced Sept. 30 that went into effect on Oct. 3.

“A determination that an individual is socially and economically disadvantaged must not be based in whole or in part on race or sex,” the rule reads. “Being born in a particular country does not, standing alone, mean that a person is necessarily socially and economically disadvantaged.”

Story

California Expands State WARN Act Obligations

California has enacted legislation that significantly expands the information that employers must include in their WARN notices and actions they must take under the California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (“CalWARN”). Starting January 1, 2026, employers can no longer include the federal WARN Act notice content in their CalWARN notices.

CalWARN applies to all employers in California that operate a California “covered establishment,” which is defined as “any industrial or commercial facility or part thereof that employs, or has employed within the preceding 12 months, 75 or more persons.”

More

California Approves EV Charger Reliability Rules

The California Energy Commission unanimously approved standards requiring publicly funded fast chargers built in 2024 or later to be operational at least 97 percent of the time. The rules also mandate that providers share data on charger locations, availability, and pricing with third parties at no cost, aiming to improve access for electric vehicle drivers. The new regulations come as California works to boost electric vehicle adoption, which has plateaued in recent years, even before the Trump administration revoked the state’s authority to enforce its EV sales mandate.

Meet The Handful of Lawmakers Who Actually Vote “No”

Almost no one in the California Legislature actually votes “no” on bills. They choose an easy way out, electing to not cast a vote at all. There’s even a term for it: “laying off.” Not Anamarie Ávila Farías, a Democratic assemblymember from Concord. She’s one of three Democrats that our reporter Ryan Sabalow identified who regularly recorded “no” votes this year. Jasmeet Bains and Robert Garcia joined her.

Story

New Arizona Laws Boosting Competitiveness Take Effect

Dozens of new laws passed during the 2025 legislative session have taken effect, including several priorities championed by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry. “As these laws take effect, Arizona employers can count on policies that reflect their priorities,” said Arizona Chamber President and CEO Danny Seiden. “From keeping vital economic drivers in Arizona, to passing commonsense energy reforms that will deliver long-term stability and affordability, to supporting global companies, these are the kinds of policies that keep Arizona competitive and attractive for investment.”

Story

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Thursday, September 25, 2025   WECA Political Update September 25, 2025

Will Robo Bosses Be Banned?

California lawmakers have taken a significant step forward in regulating the use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) in the workplace by passing Senate Bill 7, a bill aptly referred to as the “No Robo Bosses” Act. If Governor Newsom signs the bill into law—a decision he must make by September 30, 2025—SB 7 would take effect on January 1, 2026. It would have an immediate impact, including prohibiting employers from relying solely on AI to make decisions regarding employee discipline or termination. Below, we highlight the most salient aspects of SB 7 and provide recommendations for employers moving forward, should Governor Newsom sign the bill into law.

SB 7 uses the term “automated decision systems” or “ADS” to define AI tools as: [A]ny computational process derived from machine learning, statistical modeling, data analytics, or artificial intelligence that issues simplified output, including a score, classification, or recommendation, that is used to assist or replace human discretionary decision-making and materially impacts natural persons. Story

California Labor Commissioner Awards $8.55 Million in Grants to Local Prosecutors

As part of the Workers’ Rights Enforcement Grant program established in 2023, the California Labor Commissioner’s Office has awarded $8.55 million in grants to 16 local prosecutors. The purpose of these grants is to help local governments enforce labor laws, including wage payment violations and other employment practices illegal under state law.

Usage of these grants is likely to result in an increased number of investigations into alleged Labor Code violations. The grants may enable local prosecutors’ offices to establish specialized labor law enforcement units and increase prosecutions of California employers who violate the law.

Grant recipients include the following:

  • Los Angeles District Attorney — $750,000
  • Fresno City Attorney — $750,000
  • San Mateo District Attorney — $750,000
  • Orange County District Attorney — $700,000
  • San Francisco City Attorney — $600,000

Employers can avoid running afoul of the law by familiarizing themselves with the jurisdiction in which they conduct business. They should also respond to investigations by local law enforcement agents, just as they would to the Labor Commissioner’s office.

Fall Protection Tops OSHA Citation Tables for 15th Year

  • Fall Protection citations topped OSHA’s tally of most frequently cited workplace safety standards for fiscal year 2025, the agency said last week.
  • Disclosing its preliminary data at the 2025 NSC Safety Congress & Expo, OSHA stated that the list highlights persistent compliance issues and underscores the need for more substantial safety efforts across various industries.
  • Fiscal year 2025 marks the 15th consecutive year that Fall Protection-General Requirements tops the list, with 5,914 violations at the latest count. The federal government’s fiscal year ends on Sept. 30.
  • Another related citation, Fall Protection–Training Requirements, ranked as the eighth-most cited, with 1,907 instances.

More

Will California Hamper Arbitration in PAGA Employment Lawsuits?

In Leeper v. Shipt, the California Supreme Court will revisit the ongoing question of whether, and to what extent, employees can pursue litigation in court for violation of the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), Labor Code § 2698, et seq., despite signing valid and binding arbitration agreements. Story

Read more >>


Thursday, September 11, 2025   WECA Political Update September 11, 2025

AB 889 at Finish Line

Assembly Member Heather Hadwick (R-Jackson) amended her AB 889 on September 5, 2025. AB 889 makes changes to the annualization rule of fringe benefits for work on both public and private construction projects by requiring annualization to apply to all employer payments not made directly to the worker and by eliminating the exemption that the director of the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) has determined that annualization would not further the purposes of the law. WECA, ABC of California, and AGC-San Diego all oppose the measure, which is sponsored by the California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers and the District Council of Iron Workers. A laundry list of unions support it.

The amendment added Assembly Members Chen (R-Brea), Flora (R-Ripon), Gallagher (R-Chico), and Senator Rubio (D-West Covina) as authors, and clarified that vesting of pension contributions must occur within the first 500 hours worked, and struck language in the bill that mentions the United States Department of Labor Field Operations Handbook. These changes were made at the request of the Newsom administration, which means a veto is unlikely.

The Senate approved AB 889 yesterday, 35-0, with five Republicans voting aye (Dahle-Chico, Choi-Irvine, Grove-Bakersfield, Jones-Escondido, Strickland-Huntington Beach, and Valladares- Lancaster). Senator Choi initially voted no, and all the other Republicans, except Dahle and Strickland, abstained. When the call was lifted, Choi changed his vote and joined the other Republicans in support. Republican Senators Alvarado-Gil, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, and Seyarto abstained.

The bill now returns to the Assembly, where it can be voted on as soon as today. Newsom has 30 days to sign or veto, and AB 889 will take effect on January 1, 2026.

We asked Hadwick to submit a clarifying letter to the Assembly Daily Journal, and although Hadwick said she would consider it, she didn’t like the first draft. A second draft was submitted, but she told opponents that she would not submit it or any letter to the Journal.

Hadwick could still hold the bill in the Assembly, but her refusal to file a letter in the Journal makes that unlikely, after what will likely be strong bipartisan support in the Assembly.

Newsom could veto the measure, but with the amendments his administration sought being adopted, that is very unlikely.

The bill will take effect in January. WECA will publish guidance for contractors this fall.

Construction Spending Slide Deepens

  • Nonresidential construction spending slipped 0.2% in July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.24 trillion, according to an ABC analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.
  • Private nonresidential outlays dropped 0.5% for the month, though public nonresidential construction ticked up 0.3%, according to the report. Spending decreased in seven of 16 nonresidential categories, including manufacturing and commercial work.
  • The dip marks the third consecutive monthly decline, as tariffs rise and labor shortages resurface. “It may be a bleak second half of the year for the construction industry,” said Anirban Basu, ABC chief economist.

Story

It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over

California lawmakers won’t be able to cast the final votes of the 2025 session until Saturday morning, marking one of the latest final days of the session in recent history. Lawmakers published the final piece of new bill language, a bill to extend the state's greenhouse gas trading program, at 10:21 a.m. on Wednesday, meaning AB 1207 can’t be taken up on the Senate floor until 72 hours later, Saturday, under legislative rules. The session will extend beyond that time, as they debate the bill on the floor before it heads to the Assembly for a vote to approve the amendments.

Lawmakers often waive the rules, which end the session at midnight on Friday, along with other deadlines, allowing them to continue working into Saturday during the first year of a legislative session. But veteran lobbyist Chris Micheli, who has worked in the Capitol for over three decades, said this is the first time in his memory that lawmakers are expected to adjourn early Saturday and then return later in the day for votes.

The delay came as Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders scrambled to hammer out a package of climate and energy measures that extended beyond Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning. The first of those bills, a proposal to establish a West-wide electricity market (AB 825), arrived at 5:43 a.m., while legislation to boost in-state oil drilling (SB 237) and to backfill the state’s wildfire fund (SB 254) came in after 9 a.m.

Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire told his chamber on Wednesday to "pack extra socks" in preparation for a marathon end of session, where they will have to be back Saturday morning to "complete our business. We are going to be working late, ladies and gentlemen, here into the evening on Friday,” McGuire said, adding “I would anticipate that we are going to be working into the morning hours of Saturday." Micheli said this is the latest that lawmakers have introduced bills since voters passed Proposition 54 in 2016, which established the 72-hour rule.

Groups Spend Big Bucks to Send CA Lawmakers on Sponsored Trips to Far-Off Places

Nearly 100 special interest groups spent over $820,000 last year to send California legislators to distant locations such as Hawaii, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, and Israel, writes CalMatters. About three-quarters of the Legislature, or 92 Democratic and Republican lawmakers, received free trips, according to financial disclosure reports. As in previous years, particularly in 2022 and 2023, the largest sponsor of travel last year was the California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy. The nonprofit paid nearly $260,000 to take more than 40 lawmakers on domestic and international trips. The foundation is an unusual umbrella organization that encompasses corporations, oil companies, environmental groups, and other entities. Its international trips, called “study tours,” let representatives from these special interest groups mingle with lawmakers.

Story

Former AZ Senator Kyrsten Sinema buys $2M Estate

Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema paid $2 million for an estate in Cave Creek. The property, which does not belong to an HOA, has recently undergone several additions and has sufficient space to build a casita or a large toy barn. Sinema served from 2019 to 2025 as a United States senator from Arizona. A former member of the Democratic Party, Sinema became an independent in December 2022. Sinema served three terms as a state representative for the 15th legislative district from 2005 to 2011, one term as the state senator for the 15th legislative district from 2011 to 2012, and three terms as the United States representative for the 9th district from 2013 to 2019.

Sinema was considered a key swing vote in the Senate during the 117th and 118th Congresses, when it was almost evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. On March 5, 2024, she announced she would not seek reelection and was succeeded by Democrat Ruben Gallego.

Players Gonna Play

Earlier this year, California lawmakers delivered a historic victory for champions of more housing construction by exempting most urban apartment developments from the California Environmental Quality Act, a 50-year-old statute that Yes In My Backyard advocates and the building industry have long blamed as an impediment to building more homes.

A bill proposed Monday night, just days before the end of the legislative session, would punch a tiny hole in that landmark law that appears to apply to just one proposed apartment building in California — in the district represented by the incoming leader of the state Senate.

Senate Bill 158 would subject any project within a city of more than 85,000 but fewer than 95,000 people and within a county of between 440,000 and 455,000 people to the state’s environmental review law.

That only describes one place in California, according to 2020 Census data: Santa Barbara, a city represented by Sen. Monique Limón. Earlier this year, Democrats in the state Senate chose Limón as the body’s next leader. She is set to replace Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire, who is termed out in 2026.

Story

Immigration Crackdowns Intensify Construction Labor Woes

  • Ramped-up immigration enforcement has impacted nearly a third of construction firms, according to a survey released Aug. 28 by the Associated General Contractors of America and the National Center for Construction Education and Research.
  • Labor shortages continue to be the main reason for project delays, with 45% of contractors mentioning worker gaps as the cause. Ninety-two percent of respondents said they struggle to fill open positions.
  • The survey highlights how labor issues and immigration enforcement intersect with broader policy pressures, like tariffs, which 16% of firms say have already caused project changes, according to the report.

Story

Discredited Bureau of Labor Statistics Says Demand For HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing Workers is Expected to Grow

Organizations are launching programs aimed at expanding access to skilled trades at a time when the federal government is predicting above-average growth in these jobs over the next decade.

The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, which includes information on approximately 600 occupations, states that the need for HVAC-R mechanics and installers is expected to grow by 8% and add about 40,100 openings per year through 2034. That’s “much faster than the average for all occupations,” BLS says.

Electrician employment is projected to grow 9% over the decade, with approximately 81,000 openings projected each year on average, according to the BLS. 

The need for plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, and general maintenance and repair workers is projected to increase by 4% over the next decade, according to the data. 

Story

Hanks’ Award at West Point Cancelled by Trump

Last time we mentioned that former Governor Schwarzenegger’s Hall of Fame Induction was on hold, possibly because of his opposition to Prop 50.

President Donald Trump recently applauded the decision of the US Army Academy to cancel an award ceremony for actor and veterans advocate Tom Hanks, accusing the celebrity of being “woke” in a post on Truth Social. “We don’t need destructive, WOKE recipients getting our cherished American Awards!!!” Trump wrote. “Hopefully, the Academy Awards, and other Fake Award Shows, will review their Standards and Practices in the name of Fairness and Justice. Watch their DEAD RATINGS SURGE!”

The West Point Association of Graduates alumni association announced in June that Hanks would be recognized for his work in several movies, where he portrayed U.S. service members, and his advocacy for building the World War II memorial on the National Mall. Hanks also supports service members through the profits of his coffee company, HANKS for Our Troops.

Robert A. McDonald, chairman of the alumni association, said in June that Hanks has “done more for the caring of the American veteran, their caregivers and their family” than many other Americans.

The actor’s ceremony to receive the Sylvanus Thayer Award, which is awarded to an “outstanding citizen” with a record of service exemplifying “Duty, Honor, Country,” was set for Sept. 25.

Utah Ordered to Redraw Congressional Districts Ahead of the 2026 Elections

On Aug. 25, a federal judge ordered Utah to redraw its congressional map, making the state one of 13 where district boundaries might change before the 2026 elections. Notably, on August 29, Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) signed a new congressional map into law, aimed at gaining five Republican U.S. House seats. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) scheduled a special election for Nov. 4, 2025, to approve a constitutional amendment for redrawing the state's congressional districts through 2030. In the Utah ruling, Judge Dianna M. Gibson stated that the Utah Legislature violated voters’ right to reform their government by overriding voters’ chosen redistricting rules. Story

Trump’s War on Wind Has This Construction Crew Stuck 15 Miles Out at Sea

Connor Walcutt is among the workers caught in the crossfire of President Trump’s war on the offshore wind industry, which recently culminated when officials halted the $5 billion Revolution Wind project. The administration’s stop-work order surprised even the shellshocked clean-energy sector because the development’s skyscraper-sized turbines are largely complete.

Story

Out with the Old

Democrat Eric Jones, a wealthy former venture capitalist, is launching a primary challenge against longtime incumbent Rep. Mike Thompson. The upheaval in California’s 4th Congressional District highlights an ongoing intergenerational divide within the Democratic Party as first-time candidates nationwide seek to unseat older lawmakers. Thompson, 74, has represented the Napa Valley area in Congress for over 25 years.

Jones’ first ad highlights this issue as he criticizes Trump’s cuts to safety-net programs. “Trump is cutting Medicaid to give tax cuts to billionaires,” Jones, 34, says in the spot, which shows him driving down a rural dirt road in a Jeep with his dog at his side. “And too many Democrats have been in Washington so long they’re not up to the fight.”

Jones also discusses growing up in Maine as the son of a nurse and a disabled veteran who did not finish high school. He mentions that his family sometimes depended on food stamps and disability checks. He also commits in the same ad not to accept campaign contributions from corporate PACs and lobbyists or to trade stocks as a member of Congress. Jones’ campaign said the spot will air on broadcast and cable TV in the Bay Area and Sacramento media markets.

Encinitas Councilmember Charged with Felony Assault

Encinitas Councilmember Luke Shaffer appeared in a courtroom for his criminal arraignment, where he heard about his charges in front of a judge. The charges include one count of felony assault and two misdemeanor counts of hit-and-run driving and willful omission to perform duty, which basically means that a public official knowingly failed to do something they were legally required to do as part of their job. Details of the incident that led to the charges haven’t been made public yet. Still, court documents indicate that Shaffer made threats to a member of the public, “did unlawfully commit an assault upon” a person, and was “the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in damage to property.”

Story

Everything Old is New Again

On Aug. 26, California Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher (R-3) introduced Assembly Joint Resolution 23 (AJR 23). The resolution would “express the consent of the Legislature for specified counties to form a new state from within the current boundaries of the State of California and would urge Congress to accept and embrace that consent.”

Gallagher said the proposal was a response to the Legislature’s approval of Proposition 50 for the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot. Proposition 50 is a constitutional amendment that would allow the state to use a new, legislature-drawn congressional district map for 2026 through 2030. Here’s a brief history of past attempts to divide California into two or more states.

California Supreme Court Eases Employer Risks in Arbitration Fee Rule

The California Supreme Court’s decision in Hohenshelt v. Superior Court might seem unfavorable to employers at first. After all, the Court declined to find that Code of Civil Procedure section 1281.98—California’s “pay arbitration fees on time or lose arbitration” rule—was preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA). However, a closer look reveals a critical silver lining: the Court has softened the strict interpretations that had been emerging from the Courts of Appeal.

More

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Thursday, August 28, 2025   WECA Political Update August 28, 2025

Revised Guidance for National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program Released by DOT

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, on August 11th, unveiled updated guidance aimed at increasing the flexibility and efficiency of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. Created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the NEVI program allocates $5 billion over five years to states for the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The revised guidance removes a requirement that charging stations be placed every 50 miles along major highways, a provision some states with sparse populations had objected to. If a state determines (and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) certifies) that its Alternative Fuel Corridors for EVs are “fully built out,” the state may use NEVI funds for charging infrastructure on any public road.

The updated guidance was issued approximately six months after the Department of Transportation (DOT) rescinded the initial NEVI guidance, allowing the agency to review and revise it. The rescinded rules included language directing states to develop their EV infrastructure deployment plans through engagement with rural and disadvantaged communities, as well as guidance on how the plans address evacuation needs and resilience strategies.

Legislators Hold Cal/OSHA’s Feet to the Fire

Two things became clear during yesterday’s joint legislative hearing in the wake of a state audit questioning Cal/OSHA’s performance: lawmakers don’t see the agency’s problems as purely a function of personnel shortages, but also as one of leadership. They fully intend to keep it in their crosshairs.

The hearing of the Joint Legislative Audit, Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement, and Assembly Labor and Employment (L&E) committees followed up on the July report by State Auditor Grant Parks. L&E Chair Liz Ortega (D-Hayward) called for the audit after hearing workplace safety complaints from farmworkers.

“The audit has made it very clear what I have known for some time, and that is that Cal/OSHA is not working,” she says. “The scale of Cal/OSHA’s tasks, the lives lost, and the duration of the problem calls for an approach beyond just staffing. What we really need to focus on is structural change.”

Added Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles), “The results of this audit were stunning.” Story

Watch Your Legislators

Sign up for beta access to My Legislator, your weekly report on what your state legislators said, voted on, introduced, and more. The beta version will run weekly until the regular legislative session adjourns on September 18, and they’d love your feedback on what works, what doesn’t, and what you would like to see.

California State Minimum Wage for 2026 Announced

California’s Department of Finance recently announced the minimum wage increase for 2026. The minimum wage in California will increase from $16.50 per hour to $16.90 per hour on January 1, 2026. This increase applies to all employers, regardless of size. This increase is based on the state’s annual cost-of-living adjustment tied to the U.S. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), subject to a cap of 3.5% or the actual CPI-W increase, whichever is lower, as provided under Labor Code §1182.12(c).

Additionally, the minimum salary for full-time 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). More

Schwarzenegger’s Hall of Fame Induction Delayed by Newsom?

Former Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s name was conspicuously absent from the list Governor Gavin Newsom read off during a reception previewing the incoming class, according to an attendee, who was granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive situation. This seeming omission raised questions about whether Schwarzenegger’s vocal opposition to Newsom’s gerrymandering push was a factor in the delay, according to Politico.

Newsom spokesperson Bob Salladay declined to confirm who is on the list but said a planned unveiling of the full class has been delayed, likely until November, which would almost certainly mean after a Nov. 4 special election on a new House map drawn to exclude Republicans.

“Nobody’s being snubbed,” Salladay said. “The list remains the same, and we’re going to have a public announcement in a few months.”

But the development stunned people in Schwarzenegger’s orbit, some of whom had been invited to the event with the understanding that the former governor was going to be announced as an inductee.

His spokesperson, Daniel Ketchell, said Schwarzenegger had been notified of his planned induction but was not participating in the lead-up, including the Monday evening event. Ketchell mentioned he did not know why the former governor’s name was not announced but emphasized that politics never influenced their Hall of Fame decisions, noting that Schwarzenegger, who created the Hall of Fame when he was in office, enshrined liberal icon Jane Fonda.

As governor, Schwarzenegger championed efforts to strip line-drawing power from the Legislature and give it to an independent commission, work that will be effectively overridden if voters pass Newsom’s ballot measure.

While Newsom and his allies have portrayed the plan as a necessary response to Texas Republicans redrawing their map at President Donald Trump’s request, Schwarzenegger has promised to “terminate” the ballot initiative. He could be a powerful messenger given his widespread name recognition and credibility with many California voters as an anti-Trump voice. He also has the wealth to significantly support the opposition campaign.

Schwarzenegger has shared few details so far about how he plans to get involved in what is shaping up to be an enormously costly campaign. But he offered a glimpse this week: He announced he’s selling a “f*** the politicians, terminate gerrymandering” T-shirt and donating the proceeds to the League of Women Voters, an opponent of partisan redistricting.

Republicans’ Plan to Split California Revealed

The latest Republican-led effort to allow rural parts of California to split off and form their own state highlights a new reality in California politics. While previous plans to divide the state focused on letting the rural north separate, sometimes in combination with parts of southern Oregon or Idaho, Assemblyman Gallagher’s plan would divide the state between east and west. This reflects how influential the Inland Empire region, around Riverside and San Bernardino, has become in shaping California’s Republican priorities. Story

Arizona Can't Afford L.A.-Style Dysfunction

By Danny Seiden, the president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry

A recent headline in Politico asks, “Is anyone in charge of Los Angeles?” It’s a good question. The article charts the march of labor union Unite Here Local 11 through the city’s policymaking apparatus and the bruising fights the union has picked with the city’s job creators, especially those in the hospitality industry.

Meanwhile, some members of the city council express occasional concern about the damage that’s been done to the city’s reputation and whether it will be able to host a Super Bowl, World Cup, and Summer Olympic Games in successive years, but not enough, apparently, to do anything to broker a lasting truce between the union and the private businesses that are now looking for more welcoming environments.

Instead of disputes being settled at the negotiating table with the help of elected officials, the voting booth is increasingly where Big Labor and job creators square off. 

We’re fortunate that in Arizona we don’t have city governments that are as openly hostile to job creation and a competitive business environment as L.A. 

Not yet, anyway. We can’t get too comfortable. 

That’s because Unite Here Local 11’s territory not only includes Southern California, but Arizona, too. The union is growing its presence here, organizing job-killing ballot measures, targeting specific businesses, throwing up roadblocks to development, and backing candidates for city council positions.

In Glendale, the union was the driving force behind Proposition 499 in 2024, a measure that would have burdened the city’s hospitality sector and taxpayers with costly new mandates. A year later, the union was back at it again, organizing Propositions 401 and 402, which attempted to block the development of a critical phase of what is slated to be the state’s largest resort, employing more than 2,000 Arizonans. In each case, the business community rallied to stop the union.

The pattern has been clear: if you’re a business that dares to succeed, you’re a target. Take Scottsdale, where Unite Here operatives helped circulate the petitions aimed at freezing the new Axon corporate headquarters development, an investment promising thousands of high-paying jobs. Stopping job creators in their tracks seems to be part of the union’s playbook. Like it did in Glendale, the business community came together to stand up for Scottsdale jobs. So did a bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers and Gov. Katie Hobbs.

The union isn’t content to restrict its influence to ballot measures and development fights. Unite Here is increasingly active in Arizona municipal politics, lining up behind city council candidates in Tucson, Phoenix, and Glendale who share their agenda. Their candidates may speak in platitudes about fairness and equity, but what they really offer is a city government more hostile to employers, less friendly to entrepreneurs, and far more willing to use public policy as a cudgel against job creation.

We’re also seeing a similar playbook from other California-based unions. The Service Employees International Union just announced a ballot initiative to cap the salaries of Arizona hospital executives, regardless of the size or complexity of the health system they lead, never mind that the proposal tramples any semblance of the right to contract.

Supporters may say the measure is about fairness, but it would just make it harder to recruit and retain the kind of medical leadership our state needs to ensure access to lifesaving care. It’s obvious that this isn’t about strengthening health care in Arizona; it’s about importing California’s labor fights to our ballot.

Arizona can’t afford to import Los Angeles-style dysfunction. We’ve built a reputation as a state where job creators are welcomed, where investment is encouraged, and where opportunity is still available for those willing to work hard and take risks. That reputation is one of our greatest competitive advantages, but it won’t endure if we ignore the encroachment of those who would rather grind our economy to a halt in service of their narrow political agenda.

Arizona’s job creators are resilient, but they need policymakers at all levels of government to stand firm and defend our pro-jobs environment, and call out efforts, no matter how cleverly disguised, that would weaken it. 

California Supreme Court Issues Decision on Good-Faith Defense for Minimum Wage Violations and Enforcement of Paid Leave Obligations under HWHFA

In Iloff v. LaPaille, the California Supreme Court addressed when “liquidated” or double damages may be avoided by an employer for minimum wage violations and how employees can pursue paid leave claims under California’s Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act (HWHFA), the statewide paid sick and safe time law. Story

Off-the-Clock Cannabis Use in California: What Employers Need to Know Before Testing Employees

Since January 1, 2024, California law has protected employees and job applicants from discrimination based on their off-duty cannabis use. Employers can still enforce drug-free workplace policies, but AB 2188 added Government Code section 12954 to limit how and when cannabis testing can be used and what kind of tests are permissible. More

Bechtel Teams on Construction Suicide-Mental Health Initiative

  • Construction giant Bechtel and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) have launched “Hard Hat Courage,” an initiative to address the industry’s high suicide rate and prioritize mental health alongside physical safety.
  • The initiative aims to provide construction firms of all sizes with mental health and suicide prevention resources and education, focused on the building industry.
  • AFSP has developed “toolbox talks” that contractors can bring to the jobsite, offering guidelines for conversations to challenge the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health.

READ MORE

California Civil Rights Department (CRD) Ramps Up Enforcement of the California Fair Chance Act (CFCA)

Evaluating candidates with known criminal records in compliance with the California Fair Chance Act (CFCA) poses a challenge for covered employers because the CFCA limits the discretion employers have to rely on such records when making hiring decisions. To make matters worse, the state agency that oversees and enforces the CFCA, the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), has been requiring strict compliance with the CFCA’s requirements. The CRD also interprets the CFCA’s requirements liberally in favor of applicants and, arguably, beyond what the statute requires. With the increasing number of administrative charges and lawsuits alleging CFCA violations, employers can proactively fortify their CFCA compliance. Read More

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Thursday, August 14, 2025   WECA Political Update August 14, 2025



Democrat Assemblyman Visits 

Assemblyman Corey Jackson toured WECA Riverside this week for a discussion about workforce development and how beneficial it is for young adults to begin adulthood debt-free. On the tour, Assemblyman Jackson heard from a fourth-year WECA electrical apprentice about the great opportunity that apprenticeships are for students. Joined by Dave Everett with WECA’s Government Affairs team, Jackson sat down to learn more about WECA’s commitment to apprenticeship, training, and safety. Thank you, Assemblyman Corey Jackson, for taking time out of your busy schedule in the California State Legislature to learn more about our members and students!

California’s Lawmakers Love to Talk, But These Eight Barely Say a Word

Since the legislative session began in December, the average lawmaker has spoken for 6.3 hours. But eight lawmakers have talked for around an hour or less – six of them Republicans, who are a superminority in the Legislature, according to a CalMatters Digital Democracy analysis.

Quiet Republicans include a trio of assemblymembers from Orange County and a north state senator. Two other quiet Republicans represent competitive Assembly swing districts in the Inland Empire. A pair of Democratic assemblymembers – one from the San Joaquin Valley, the other representing the Chino area – also have been keeping their thoughts mostly to themselves this year. Story

Truck Makers Sue California Regulators

According to POLITICO, a group of truck makers sued California regulators on Monday to block an industry agreement on zero-emission sales targets, arguing that the state no longer has authority to enforce its pollution regulations for heavy-duty vehicles.

The suit, filed in U.S. district court for the Eastern District of California, argues that truck manufacturers shouldn't have to abide by the state's sales targets for zero-emission trucks, or a separate voluntary agreement that the truck makers signed with California in 2023, because Congress overturned California’s Advanced Clean Truck rule in June through the Congressional Review Act.

The U.S. Justice Department sent cease-and-desist letters to the California Air Resources Board, but the state agency has continued to try enforcing the rules, the suit says. A CARB spokesperson said the agency doesn't comment on pending litigation.

“Plaintiffs are caught in the crossfire: California demands that [original equipment manufacturers] follow preempted laws; the United States maintains such laws are illegal and orders OEMs to disregard them,” lawyers for Daimler Truck North America LLC, International Motors LLC, Paccar Inc. and Volvo North America LLC wrote. “This situation is not tenable.”

A Deceptive Ballot Game

John Fleishman recently wrote about AB 699. “Picture this: you’re at the ballot box, scanning a measure called “Better Schools and Roads.” It sounds like a win for the community, but the fine print, tucked away in a voter guide you might never read, reveals a costly tax hike for decades. California’s Assembly Bill 699, racing through Sacramento, wants to make this sleight-of-hand standard. Former State Senator and fiscal watchdog John Moorlach, in an Orange County Register column, puts it bluntly: ‘Assembly Bill 699 makes it easier to pass feel-good tax measures that sound great on the surface but hit your wallet later.’ This isn’t about clarity; it’s about masking costs to sway voters.

AB 699 reflects a deeper issue: the progressive left’s relentless drive for wealth redistribution through ever-higher taxes. Current law, shaped by bipartisan reforms in 2015 and 2017, demands ballot measures disclose tax rates, duration, and revenue. AB 699 would let proponents swap that transparency for vague phrases like “See voter guide for details,” which is the intent. This bill would move critical fiscal impact information from the ballot itself (which everyone reads) over to the voter pamphlet that is mailed out. It’s a deliberate move to obscure the financial impact of bonds and taxes, making it easier to fund sprawling government programs by hiding their true price from voters.

This isn’t Sacramento’s first attempt to dilute ballot transparency. Dan Walters, in a CalMatters column, calls AB 699 part of a ‘political Whack-A-Mole’ game, noting a similar 2019 bill was vetoed by Governor Newsom for reducing openness. Backers, including low-income housing advocates, claim AB 699 helps pass bonds, but its effects stretch to all bond measures, potentially hiding tax hikes. The assumption seems to be that voters are too distracted to dig into voter guides or websites. It’s a tactic that doesn’t just undermine informed choices: it erodes trust in the democratic process.

If lawmakers believe new taxes or bonds are vital, they should make the case openly, rather than rely on vague ballot labels to nudge voters along. AB 699 bets on apathy, assuming people won’t notice they’re signing up for heavier tax burdens. Hiding costs to push an agenda isn’t leadership: it’s manipulation. Transparency isn’t a hurdle to overcome; it’s the foundation of fair governance.

What will Gavin Newsom do? This bill sailed through the State Assembly on the strength of Democratic votes and has gone through a couple of State Senate committees on partisan-line votes. Undoubtedly it will pass out of the liberal upper chamber and head to Newsom’s desk. AB 699 is a test of his priorities as he eyes a future beyond Sacramento, with whispers of presidential ambitions growing louder. In 2019, he vetoed a similar bill, citing the need for transparency. Will he hold that line, appealing to moderate swing voters who handed Trump the presidency over Harris by demanding clarity and accountability? Or will he bend to the progressive delegates who dominate Democratic nominating conventions, eager to fund expansive programs through obscured tax hikes?

Newsom’s decision on AB 699 will be one of many signals as to whether Newsom is playing to the far-left base or betting on the broader electorate’s demand for honesty. Californians deserve a governor who values truth and transparency, not one enabling Sacramento’s tax tricks.

DOT Restarts EV Charger Funding After Court Blocked Halt

Key provisions from a program designed to develop a national network of electric vehicle charging stations were recently updated by the Trump administration.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Aug. 11 announced a series of modifications and updates meant to reform the Biden-era National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. The Department of Transportation’s aim is to further facilitate state agencies’ access to resources for building new EV charging stations.

A federal court blocked an earlier move by the Trump administration to freeze the program, ruling that DOT overstepped its authority and attempted to override the will of Congress. Story

Valley Candidates Boast Booming War Chests Ahead of 2026 Battles for Legislative Seats

Candidates for the California Legislature have submitted their fundraising reports for the first half of the year, spanning Jan. 1 through June 30.

Senate District 12

Three Republicans are vying for Senate District 12, currently held by Sen. Shannon Grove (R–Bakersfield), who will be termed out of office next year.

·      Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig ($446,322.25)

·      Navy veteran and former Congressional candidate Michael Maher ($17,315.77)

·      Kern County Supervisor David Couch ($7,500)

Senate District 14

·      Asm. Esmeralda Soria (D–Fresno) ($338,886.51)

·      Fresno City Councilmember Nelson Esparza ($206,081.25)

Senate District 16

·      Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D–Bakersfield) is the lone candidate to have filed paperwork for the race so far ($136,748.74)

Assembly District 31

The race to succeed Asm. Joaquin Arambula (D–Fresno) includes the following three candidates:

·      Fresno Building Healthy Communities CEO Sandra Celedon ($94,599.02)

·      Fresno City Council member Annalisa Perea ($256,666.29)

·      Republican James Polsgrove ($22,047.69)

Assembly District 27

Soria (D–Fresno) is leaving her spot in the Assembly to run for the State Senate, making it a two-person race so far:

·      Merced Mayor Mike Murphy ($191,417.32)

·      Merced City school board member Priya Lakireddy ($100,050)

Story

California Supreme Court Backs Solar Companies in Rooftop Payments Fight

The California Supreme Court sided with rooftop solar advocates Thursday in ruling that a lower court gave too much deference to state utility regulators in a legal fight over solar incentives.

The California Supreme Court sent the case back to the Court of Appeals, First Appellate District to reconsider on the merits, agreeing with rooftop solar advocates who argued that the lower court should have applied a 1998 state law that reduced the level of deference the court owed to the California Public Utilities Commission to interpret its own statutory authority.

Thursday's decision also disapproved three other instances when lower courts applied high deference to the regulators in decades-old rulings involving ratepayer advocates and Southern California Edison.

Acting NLRB General Counsel Issues Guidance for Salting Cases

On July 24, National Labor Relations Board Acting General Counsel (AGC) William B. Cowen issued Memorandum GC 25-08 (the “Salting Memo”), which provides case processing guidance to the Regions for investigating refusal-to-hire and refusal-to-consider-for-hire cases that arise in the “salting” context. Read More

ICE Raids Leave the Future of Construction Labor in Limbo

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents raided an Alabama elementary school construction site on July 23, WKRG5 reported, resulting in the arrest of 11 people.

It’s one of the latest examples of ICE cracking down on jobsites believed to be employing immigrants unauthorized to work in the U.S.

During the 2024 presidential campaign, President Donald Trump used heavy anti-immigration rhetoric, but it was tough to know how much the administration would follow through once in control in the White House. That lack of clarity has cleared somewhat, said Anirban Basu, chief economist for Associated Builders and Contractors.

Story

California Approves Landmark AI Employment Regulations

On June 30, 2025, the California Civil Rights Council (“CRC” or “Council”) secured final approval for revisions to Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations, which governs administration of the California Civil Rights Department (CRD). These regulations interpret California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act’s (FEHA) prohibitions against discrimination in recruitment, hiring, promotion, training and termination, specifically inserting requirements and expectations when using “artificial intelligence, machine-learning, algorithms, statistics, and/or other data processing” to facilitate human decision-making. These revisions take effect on October 1, 2025, hence creating some urgent compliance needs for employers using AI-based tools in the Golden State. Read More

More States Grant Unemployment Benefits to Striking Workers

In the span of just 36 days this spring and summer, the number of states offering unemployment benefits to striking workers doubled, to four.

New Jersey was the first to offer such benefits, beginning in 2018. New York followed in 2020.

Then Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson (D) signed SB 5041 by Sen. Marcus Riccelli (D) on May 19, establishing unemployment insurance benefits for striking workers in the Evergreen State.

“This bill levels the playing field for workers who are fighting for fair wages and working conditions,” Ferguson said in a press release. “Strikes are a last resort, and while they are an important tool for workers, they can be financially debilitating. This bill ensures workers have the resources they need to effectively bargain with their employers.”

Less than a month and a half later, on June 24, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) signed SB 916 by Sen. Kathleen Taylor (D), providing unemployment benefits for striking workers in the Beaver State.

Story

News of an Employee’s Arrest or Pending Criminal Charges Poses a Dilemma for California Employers

Every day, the press reports on arrests for one reason or another in California and other states. Many of those arrested have jobs. In turn, the employers of the arrestees in California are confronted with a dilemma: on the one hand, the fact of the arrest may raise concerns about an employee’s suitability for continued employment (e.g., if the employee stands accused of violent, threatening, destructive, or other serious misconduct); on the other hand, state law affords the employee certain rights. Navigating between these competing risks requires careful consideration of the specific circumstances. Read More

And Finally: Jellyfish Jam Up a Nuclear Power Plant

A jellyfish invasion has taken a French nuclear power plant offline, reports POLITICO. The French company EDF recently announced that jellyfish had entered the cooling system of a plant in Gravelines over the weekend, disabling three of its reactors (no word on who gave them the key). A fourth reactor shut down (the plant’s six reactors each generate 5.4 gigawatts of power). An EDF spokesperson said that the jellyfish only swarmed the “non-nuclear part of the installations” (that’s reassuring, who’d want a swarm of massive radioactive jellyfish?) and that the company is conducting diagnostics and repairs to resume operations. EDF uses water from the North Sea for cooling, where rising temperatures and the overfishing of jellyfish predators have led to an increase in jellyfish populations. Cue the Roger Corman movie.

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