Republican to Introduce Federal Bill Punishing States with High Gas Taxes

Last time we mentioned a call by California’s Senate Republicans for Gov. Newsom to convene a special legislative session to address high gasoline prices and respond to the impending shutdown of one of the state’s eight remaining gasoline-producing refineries. Recently, Congressman Kevin Kiley announced he is drafting a bill to reduce federal transportation funding for states with gas taxes above 50 cents per gallon. He framed the forthcoming legislation as an effort to punish California, which has the nation’s highest gas tax at nearly 71 cents per gallon. “This bill sends a clear message: states that overtax their citizens to compensate for inefficient spending should not expect unlimited federal support,” Kiley said in a statement. “If Sacramento wants Washington’s help, it should stop punishing drivers.” The bill would also impact Illinois, Washington, Pennsylvania and Indiana, which have gas taxes ranging from 54 to 66 cents per gallon. Kiley, whose congressional district was transformed from a safe Republican to an at-risk district, is looking at fellow Republican Tom McClintock’s seat, a much more Republican district. Kiley was also one of the six Republicans who voted with Democrats to repeal Trump’s tariffs on Canada.

Since Kiley is hinting at a run for Congress in the 5th Congressional District, Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove) fired a return volley at his northerly neighbor. He announced he had won the backing of the local GOP committees, which comprise 97% of the population in his district, drawing an early line that a primary challenge from Kiley will be an uphill battle. [Politico]

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Of the $183 Million Raised Nationwide for 2025 Ballot Measures, 94% Went to California Proposition 50

In 2025, campaigns supporting and opposing 30 statewide ballot measures in nine states raised $183.15 million. Ninety-four percent of that fundraising was either for or against California Proposition 50, which authorized the state to use a new congressional district map.

Here’s a closer look at ballot measure campaign finance from 2025 now that the final reporting deadlines have passed.

Campaigns supporting and opposing Proposition 50 raised $172.7 million, with $124.9 million going to PACs supporting the proposition and $47.7 million to PACs opposing it.

Top donors supporting the ballot measure included the House Majority PAC ($16.5 million) and Fund for Policy Reform ($10 million). The top donors opposing the measure were Charles Munger, Jr. ($36 million) and the Congressional Leadership Fund ($5 million).

Since 2015, California Proposition 50 has been the most expensive ballot measure in an odd-numbered year. The second-most-expensive odd-year ballot measure since 2015 was Maine Question 1 in 2021. In that election, proponents and opponents raised a combined $99.9 million.

New Report: National Debt Outlook Gets Worse as Interest Costs Exceed $1 Trillion Annually

Today, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) updated its budget and economic projections, which show that the United States remains on an unsustainable fiscal path — and unfortunately the national debt outlook worsened from last year’s projections.

Revenues over the 10-year period are lower than projected for 2025 due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). In addition, mounting debt and higher interest rates have pushed up interest costs, which threatens to crowd out other priorities. Finally, longstanding demographic pressures continue to weigh on the fiscal outlook. Taken together, CBO’s report should serve as an urgent warning for lawmakers about the need to address the debt and get the United States on a stronger fiscal path.

You can read the report here.

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Moderate vs. Progressive Race in Valley Heats Up

California's 22nd Congressional District, near Bakersfield, is one of the handful of districts Democrats hope to pick up during the 2026 midterm elections, where a conservative leaning, mostly Hispanic populace voted for Trump in 2024.

But two Democratic candidates making a bid for the seat highlight the rift among the party over how best to oust the district's GOP incumbent, writes CalMatters' Maya C. Miller.

The labor union SEIU California, several California legislators, and the political action committee Emily's List support Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains. The Bakersfield Democrat and physician is one of the more moderate members of her party in the Legislature and was the only Democrat to vote against the plan to fast-track the special election for Proposition 50.

Meanwhile, leaders of the district's local county Democratic Party, the Working Families Party, and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont have endorsed Randy Villegas, a political science professor. Though new to politics, Villegas backs progressive policies, including Medicare for All and raising the hourly minimum wage to $25. Story

Smart Wearables: Bridging the Gap Between Workplace Safety and Productivity

• Communication-enabled wearables integrate two-way radio and cellular technology into personal protective equipment to enhance workplace safety through hands-free connectivity.
• These devices utilize bone-conduction technology and noise-canceling microphones to ensure clear communication in loud industrial environments.
• Real-time audio alerts and GPS tracking allow safety managers to monitor worker locations and respond immediately to potential hazards.
• By reducing the need for hand-held devices, these wearables help prevent distractions and accidents during complex tasks.

More

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More on Lori Chavez-DeRemer

Taxpayers paid nearly $100,000 to resolve an employment discrimination claim that arose from the former congressional office of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, according to a report from the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights.

The OCWR annual report lists the amount of the award or settlement — $98,650 — and that it was tied to a part of federal statute that bans discrimination based on a worker’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status or age. The report was uploaded to the office’s website.

It’s the largest award or settlement from a House office since at least 2019, according to past reports, and the secretary’s was the only House office to have an employment discrimination claim payment in 2025.

Awards and settlements that resolve claims under a law are paid from a Treasury Department account that receives appropriations for that purpose, according to a Congressional Research Service report.

The report does not indicate whether Chavez-DeRemer, an Oregon Republican whose one term ended Jan. 3, 2025, was involved in the conduct related to her congressional office.

An internal investigation that sidelined her chief of staff, deputy chief of staff, and a member of her security detail hasn’t tarnished Chavez-DeRemer’s star status in the White House. A month after the New York Post broke the story, Chavez-DeRemer’s standing with the White House remains secure.

"I don’t get the sense from anybody that anybody gives a shit,” a person close to the White House, who requested anonymity to discuss the administration's thinking, told POLITICO. “This has not drawn the ire of anybody, like, 'Oh my god, she’s a problem, we have to deal with her.' I think as long as it stays contained, it’s fine."

Another Republican who regularly interacts with the administration on workforce issues said that the White House “seemed pretty nonchalant about the whole thing.”

Story

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California’s Retention Reform on Private Construction Projects

Retention has long been a contentious issue in California construction. Traditionally, owners withheld retention of 10% from each progress payment until completion, arguing it was necessary to ensure performance, quality and timely delivery. Contractors and subcontractors, however, often struggled with cash flow, payroll, and material costs while waiting months—sometimes even years—for withheld retention.

Recognizing the financial challenges contractors and subcontractors face, the California legislature passed Senate Bill 61, now codified under California Civil Code Section 8811 and effective January 1, 2026, limiting retention to 5% on private works of improvement, aligning with the public works standard in place since 2012. The law’s intent is clear—ease financial strain on contractors and subcontractors while still providing owners with security (albeit reduced) with respect to project completion. More

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Ouch, Thanks for Playing in Santa Clara

Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is being charged a 'jock tax,' which requires him to pay the State of California more in income taxes for his performance in Super Bowl LX than he earned from the game. Here's a look at the backwards tax approach for the athletes playing in the Golden State-hosted Super Bowl. Story

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Bonds for Research?

California lawmakers could ask voters in November to pass the largest single-purpose general obligation bond in state history, a proposal to fund research at California universities that would test not only the public’s appetite for borrowing, but the very idea of what kind of expenses a bond should be used to pay for in the first place.

When California has turned to bond measures in the past, it has done so almost exclusively to fund infrastructure. That’s because buildings usually last for decades, making long-term borrowing to pay off the loan with tax revenues a safe bet.

Only twice in recent memory has the state employed bond measures for research, authorizing $3 billion for stem cell research in 2004, after President George W. Bush blocked the use of federal grants for studying human embryonic stem cells, and approving $5.5 billion more for the same purpose in 2020.

The bond lawmakers are pushing at the Capitol now would cost $23 billion.

The bond, like the 2004 measure’s response to Bush, is in direct response to the policies of a Republican president, this time Donald Trump, and his cuts to scientific research funding. Spearheaded by state Sen. Scott Wiener, with the support of the University of California and UAW 4811, a union representing thousands of academic researchers, the bond would provide grants and loans from a state-backed foundation to universities and other research institutions to insulate them from federal funding cuts. The Trump administration has currently suspended $230 million in research funding to the UCs and another $160 million to the Cal State University system, launching several investigations into alleged antisemitism and other civil rights violations on campuses.

“This is really fucking important,” said Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Labor Federation, at recent event in Sacramento boosting the bond proposal.

Already, nearly a third of the state’s Legislature, including multiple Republicans, have signed onto the proposal, which needs approval from a supermajority to reach Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. Many lawmakers were at the event at the Labor Fed’s downtown office space, where attendees helped themselves to wine and a cheeseboard while learning about projects from researchers at the UC, Stanford and USC paused by the Trump administration’s cuts.

To sweeten the appeal, Wiener added a new provision last month that would give the state a cut of licensing fees from inventions developed with bond money.

One potential competing bond would also benefit higher education: a more traditional infrastructure payout for the UC and CSU systems, a priority for both universities after they were excluded from a $10 billion school bond two years ago and have not benefited from a bond measure in 20 years.

Assemblymember David Alvarez, who is carrying that more traditional measure in the statehouse, said that using bonds for non-infrastructure purposes would be “a major conversation” for state leadership. “I'm not saying yes or no, but it's definitely something the governor needs to weigh in on whether he wants to use bonds in this way,” Alvarez said.

But the state had done it once before, when Bush was in the White House. This time, Alvarez said, “We also definitely need to acknowledge the federal threats, right? And so that's very real.” [Politico]

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Crypto Slumps

The deregulatory Trump bump has now been fully erased. Bitcoin tumbled below $65,000 as the unwinding of leveraged bets and broader market turbulence deepened a selloff that’s wiped out all of the gains since the crypto-friendly Republican returned to the White House.

The token fell as much as 11% Thursday to $64,944, the lowest since October 2024. The rout has erased nearly half of Bitcoin’s value since it reached a record four months ago and has spread to other tokens, related exchange-traded funds and companies like Strategy that hold vast sums of coins.

“The fear and uncertainty across the market is evident,” said Chris Newhouse, head of business development at Ergonia. “Without conviction-based buyers willing to lean into the selling, each wave of ETF redemptions and liquidation cascades.” He said that’s “amplifying the magnitude of each leg lower and reinforcing the defensive positioning that’s keeping organic demand on the sidelines.” [Bloomberg]

WECA’s new Industry Partner, Professional Contractor Supply, is a family-owned industrial supplier primarily serving commercial, residential, and industrial contractors. The company was founded by Keith Mantis in 1987, and has stayed in the family, with Keith’s son Mike taking over as President and CEO in 2020.

Professional Contractor Supply is a major distributor of tools, equipment, and safety gear for the construction industry, particularly serving commercial, residential, and industrial contractors. They sell products such as power and hand tools, safety and fall protection products, specialized trade tools, consumables and accessories, and jobsite equipment. They also sell products from brands such as Milwaukee Tool, DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, Ridgid, Safewaze, Werner, and more.

“Professional Contractor Supply distinguishes itself through a massive, specialized inventory combined with high-speed logistics and technical support,” said Stalloan Iacono, an Outside Sales representative for the company. “We provide world-class customer service by exceeding customer expectations and outperforming our competition by fostering enduring, long-term relationships.”

Iacono said that the company was interested in becoming a WECA Industry Partner to “deepen its connection with the merit shop electrical industry and expand its market reach,” and said that WECA members would benefit from a strategic partnership with Professional Contractor Supply that focuses on operational efficiency and cost savings. That focus includes exclusive pricing and discounts, specialized product access, logistical support, authorized equipment service, expert training and compliance, as well as industry networking.

WECA members who are interested in partnering with Professional Contractor Supply can choose from working with two company contacts:

·        Stalloan Iacono, Outside Sales Representative: Stalloan.Iacono@PCSTools.com or 619-990-7271

·        Aaron Vallejo, National Account Manager: Aaron.Vallejo@PCSTools.com or 619-932-2805

Working on small projects around his house—like replacing outlets or light switches—fascinated WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Class of 2025 Valedictorian Isaiah Cook. Later, Isaiah got the opportunity to interview with an electrical contractor and made the switch to an electrical career from a previous unsatisfying one.

Isaiah enjoyed a valuable and productive apprenticeship with WECA and his employer, Arizona Member Contractor Corbins. Isaiah especially enjoyed the opportunities to work on a variety of job sites and supplementing what he learned on-the-job with coursework in WECA’s classrooms and labs.

“One of the interesting jobs I worked on was base housing at Luke Air Force Base. Over several days, I gained all kinds of hands-on experience, including diagnosing issues with light poles, locating underground circuits, replacing blown transformer fuses, and even replacing a panel that had melted due to an arc blast,” said Isaiah.

What’s more, Isaiah said “The ability to step away from field work for a couple of weeks and focus on your knowledge of electrical theory is incredibly helpful for understanding how things work and why.”

Isaiah succeeded in his apprenticeship because he conquered challenges head-on with wisdom and leaned on his mentors and teammates for support.

“I believe one of the biggest challenges anyone will face is overcoming the fear of failing,” said Isaiah. “Mistakes are inevitable—you might kink a pipe, nick a wire, or misread a print, to name a few common ones. But what matters most is owning those mistakes and learning from them. Ultimately, it’s those experiences that help you grow and become a better professional.”

Additionally, Isaiah said “During the early years of my apprenticeship in the service department, Kenneth Morris, Dale Griffith, and Richard Frescas shared so much knowledge and were never stingy with their guidance. Kenneth took me under his wing and spent the time teaching me what he knew when I quite literally knew nothing about electrical work. I wouldn’t be the electrician I am today without their support, and my appreciation for them is immeasurable.”

After graduation, Isaiah will continue to work on medium voltage with his “amazing team” and will focus on continuing to learn as much as possible. Isaiah hopes to become specialized in medium voltage and someday lead his own team.

Congratulations, Isaiah! Your humility, work ethic, and strong teamwork helped you succeed and become the Valedictorian of your class. We know that these traits will help you succeed and mentor the next generation of electricians in the Arizona commercial electrical industry.

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Salutatorian Nathan Urioste

Being an electrician is a great career for people who like to work with their heads and their hands. That’s certainly true for Nathan Urioste, the Salutatorian of the WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Class of 2025.

“I found an interest in electrical working on cars and having to troubleshoot circuits and using wiring diagrams. I liked the mental challenge it provided,” said Nathan.

Nathan characterized his apprenticeship with WECA and WECA Arizona Member Contractor Corbins as fun, rewarding, and challenging.

“Working on NTT data centers [on-the-job] was fun. I acquired a lot of knowledge on that site alone and the experience working on medium voltage has been rewarding and inspirational,” said Nathan. “Going to WECA was very rewarding—whether I was learning something new, or expanding on things I already knew, Keith Smart was an awesome instructor, keeping things interesting and making it easy to grasp and understand new concepts and topics.”

Nathan found a lot of support during his apprenticeship. “I would like to thank Jose Iriondo, Logan Stroop, and Eliseo Velazco, just to name a few, for the many opportunities to grow in my career and expand my skillset and setting me up for a successful and fulfilling future,” said Nathan.

After graduation, Nathan plans to continue growing his skillset and take advantage of travel work opportunities that come his way.

Congratulations on your graduation and Salutatorian accomplishment, Nathan! Thank you for setting a great example of hard work and working through challenges for fellow apprentices and future apprentices alike.

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Graduate Matthew Galindo

WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Class of 2025 graduate Matthew Galindo is unique among his cohort because he came to WECA with 10 years of electrical field experience.

Many years ago, Matthew made a career change and got a job as a helper for a fire alarm contractor. He enjoyed the work and challenges that the electrical trade brought and continued crafting a career in the field.

Eventually, Matthew applied for the WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Program and began working for WECA Arizona Member Contractor Corbins after his acceptance into the program.

However, Matthew acknowledged that “being labeled an apprentice was a challenge” when he began his apprenticeship with 10 years of experience in the electrical industry. Matthew said he was often asked “why now?”, to which he answered that he had never had the opportunity to pursue an electrical apprenticeship before.

During his apprenticeship, Matthew looked forward to learning at WECA every six months and said that the most fun job he had during his apprenticeship was working on the Lucid Motors project.

“The variety of work and my coworkers at the time made that project very enjoyable for me,” Matthew said.

When looking back on his apprenticeship, Matthew thanked WECA Arizona Apprenticeship Manager and Lead Instructor Keith Smart for his tutelage and for “being the only other one besides myself who could appreciate the 80s”, and his employer Corbins for “seeing the potential in me and deciding to invest in my future.”

Congratulations on your graduation, Matthew, and thank you for choosing the WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Program to further your electrical industry education!

Women in Construction Week 2026 is March 1st-7th!

You're Invited to WECA's Open House in Celebration of Women in Construction Week 2026 on March 3rd at 3 PM

Please Join Us or Share This Invite with Someone Who Should Attend

This March, WECA is celebrating Women in Construction Week 2026 with an open house at our California headquarters and training facility in Rancho Cordova.

Join us on March 3rd at 3 p.m. to learn how to get involved in WECA's electrical apprenticeship and training programs, get a tour of WECA's training facility and labs while meeting the WECA team and networking with women in the field, and to celebrate women in the electrical workforce.

We encourage you to pre-register for the event to secure your spot, though we will accept walk-ins on the day of the event. However, pre-registration will allow you to receive event reminders and updated event information.

RSVP for WECA's Women in Construction Week 2026 Open House

Not for you? Please share this invitation with someone you know!



Download Our WECA Women in Construction Week 2026 Open House flyer

Use WECA's Student Referral Service to Find Your Next Great Employee

Learn How WECA's Student Referral Service Benefits You

New video explaining it all!

WECA's Student Referral Service, exclusively available in California, is a conduit to introduce our current Electrician Trainees, Journey Worker Continuing Education students, and WECA grads to our Member Contractors. It's meant to help our currently-unemployed students and grads find a great new position.

There is no charge to either student or member to use our Student Referral Service. WECA's Student Referral Service provides additional customer service by having WECA staff provide hands-on referrals, taking some work off of students' and members' plates.

This is a free, no-obligation service. WECA's purpose in providing this service is to help our Member Contractors find the qualified workers they need.

Learn more here

Important Information for Member Contractors Who Perform Underground Work

Recent Changes to Excavation Law: What You Need to Know

Content Courtesy of California Underground Safety Board



 

Content courtesy of California Underground Safety Board

Senate Bill 254 Information Bulletin

The Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety (Energy Safety) Underground Safety Board encourages you to learn about Senate Bill 254 (Energy [2025-2026]), which was signed into law and became effective on September 19, 2025. To learn more, read our information bulletin highlighting recent changes to excavation law.

The information bulletin covers key changes to the law such as:

• Planning and Design Information Exchange (information exchange)
• Advance intent to dig notice
• Excavation notices to California Native American tribes
• Report to the Legislature

• Regional Notification Centers
• Operators
• Underground Safety Board
• All Stakeholders

There Are Exactly Two Weeks Left to Register to Join WECA and Industry Partner eBacon on February 19th for a "Wage Against the Machine" Webinar

Webinar Will Cover Certified Payroll Strategies for Long-Term Success


 

Join WECA and Industry Partner eBacon on February 19th for a webinar covering certified payroll strategies for long-term success.

The webinar will cover topics including:

· What is Certified Payroll and Why Does it Matter?

· Advantages of Certified Payroll for Small Businesses

· Breaking Down the Certified Payroll Process

· Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

· Tools and Strategies for Simplifying Certified Payroll

· Avoiding Costly Mistakes

· Embracing Compliance for Long-Term Success

Register today to join us online on February 19th, at 9 AM PDT/10 AM MST, for this informative, hour-long webinar.

This webinar is complimentary for WECA Member Contractors and their employees. All others are $55/registration.

Join WECA Industry Partner eBacon for a One-Hour Webinar on ?EMOD and Audit Readiness on February 12th

Noon Eastern Time | 9 AM Pacific Time | 10 AM AZ Time

Content Courtesy of WECA Industry Partner eBacon


 

Content courtesy of eBacon

One small audit mistake can follow you for years driving up your EMOD.

That’s not a scare tactic. It’s just how experience rating works.

In this one-hour conversation, eBacon is teaming up with two of our expert partners on the subject, Brown & Brown and KPA Safety, to walk through how EMOD is really calculated, where payroll and audit errors usually sneak in, and what you can do before renewal to keep them from costing you.

No fluff. Just clear explanations, real conversations, and proven tips from industry experts you can actually use.

Register here

California Senate Republicans Call for Special Session on Gasoline Prices

California’s Senate Republicans on Wednesday called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to convene a special legislative session to address high gasoline prices and respond to the impending shutdown of one of the state’s eight remaining gasoline-producing refineries. Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones and his nine Republican peers sent a letter to Newsom with a list of policy proposals to address “the ongoing gasoline cost crisis and the impending gasoline supply emergency.” They blamed a “decades-long political and policy crusade against the oil and gas industry” for “an unprecedented cost and supply crisis” that could depress the economy and lead to government service cuts amid revenue declines. Newsom responded forcefully on social media, pointing out that California’s inflation-adjusted gasoline prices are cheaper today than they were when he took office in January 2019. “They are not serious about solutions, just looking for political points,” Newsom wrote about the Republican senators. [Politico]

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Senator Drops Bill to Restore PAGA

State Senator Scott Weiner (D-San Francisco), anxious to secure labor-fed money for his race to Congress, pressed ahead with his Senate Bill 310.

SB 310 would have undermined the 2024 PAGA Reform deal, which was unanimously approved in both houses mere months earlier. SB 310 would have been used as leverage to secure higher settlements in class action lawsuits. Existing penalty statutes, intended only for willful or intentional violations, are among the most abused in wage and hour litigation. Attorneys always plead that alleged violations were willful or intentional. There is no reason not to include these penalties. Employers see this in every single case with other penalty statutes, such as Labor Code Sections 203 and 226. Employers often face penalty demands under those statutes for tens of millions of dollars, regardless of the facts of the case, with the penalties demanded as much as forty times the alleged harm. Because wage and hour claims always settle, these penalty statutes are used as leverage to secure higher settlements.

SB 310 would have circumvented early resolution processes established in the PAGA Reforms, including a process specifically designed for small businesses that has already been used by dozens of them. No early resolution process would exist under SB 310.

SB 310 still evaded Labor Agency oversight. Since the 2024 PAGA reforms, the LWDA has finally begun cracking down on bad actors. It issued public letters to law firms, demanding that they refile hundreds of boilerplate, copy-and-paste cases. No notice to the LWDA is required under SB 310.

As Weiner struggled to find enough moderate Democrats (I cringe when I write that) to get his bill out of the Senate before this week’s deadline, he finally relented and called to announce he was dropping the bill. One down, 2,000 more to go.

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40-Year PLA

A Silicon Valley–backed real estate venture and major labor unions announced what they’re calling the largest construction labor agreement in U.S. history, according to POLITICO.

It’s organized labor’s foray into plans to build a new city in Solano County, which is supported by tech luminaries like Marc Andreessen, Reid Hoffman, and Laurene Powell Jobs. California Forever, the firm behind the proposal, inked a 40-year deal with the Napa/Solano Building Trades Council and the Northern California Carpenters Union. The agreement covers all of the company's nearly 70,000 acres and requires that the majority of the project's construction be performed by union labor.

The infrastructure plans include “America’s largest advanced manufacturing park,” according to a California Forever press release, along with commercial, office, retail, defense, and energy projects. According to the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, two of the city’s planned projects would generate more than 17,000 direct construction jobs annually in Solano County over the life of the agreement, with average annual compensation of about $108,000.

Yeah, I wonder how soon we’ll see that construction commence.

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'Doomsday Clock' Advances To 85 Seconds till Midnight

We’re closer than ever to destruction as Russia, China, the U.S., and other countries become “increasingly aggressive, adversarial, and nationalistic,” according to the Science and Security Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists as it advanced its “Doomsday Clock” to 85 seconds till midnight.

They noted “national leaders and their societies have failed to do what is needed to change course. Consequently, we now move the Doomsday Clock from 90 seconds to 89 seconds to midnight—the closest it has ever been to catastrophe. Our fervent hope is that leaders will recognize the world’s existential predicament and take bold action to reduce the threats posed by nuclear weapons, climate change, and the potential misuse of biological science and a variety of emerging technologies.” Story

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Cox Calls for Prayer Again as Utah's Snowpack Nears Record Low

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox is again calling on people of all faiths to pray for precipitation, as the state's snowpack nears a low point in modern-era snowpack tracking. The governor called on people to pray for snow this weekend in an open letter. "We know that when people of all different faiths and backgrounds join together and plead for help from a higher power, remarkable things can happen," he wrote. "At the same time, we must do our part to conserve water." Story

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Ongoing Probe of C-DR

A member of Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s security detail has been placed on administrative leave as part of a widening investigation by the department’s inspector general. The IG’s office is investigating allegations that the security staffer and Chavez-DeRemer were engaged in a romantic relationship. The development was first reported by Bloomberg Law. The probe is also examining additional complaints made against some of Chavez-DeRemer’s top aides that they attempted to influence grantmaking.

This follows earlier suspensions of Chief of Staff Jihun Han and Deputy Chief of Staff Rebecca Wright, who were placed on administrative leave and later notified that they would be placed on investigative leave starting Jan. 26, according to the person granted anonymity to discuss the matter. They were initially placed on leave after a New York Post report earlier this month that alleged the two were involved in scheduling official events for the Labor secretary that benefited her personal travel plans. The Post also reported that the complaint, which POLITICO has not independently reviewed, accuses Chavez-DeRemer of an extramarital affair and drinking on the job.

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State Predicts 50% Rise in California Electricity Demand because of EVs, Data Centers

California’s peak electricity demand will rise by roughly half by 2045, driven by increases in electric vehicles, data centers, and building electrification, regulators predicted Wednesday. What happened: The California Energy Commission predicted in its California Energy Demand Forecast from 2025 to 2045 that on the low end, peak energy demand in the California Independent System Operator system will rise from about 46,500 megawatts to 66,000 MW, a 42 percent jump. The mid-range estimate is 53 percent, while the high-end estimate predicts an increase of about 74,900 MW, a 61 percent spike. The forecast, which shows electricity use soaring after decades of relatively stable demand, underpins state regulators' long-term energy planning. The CEC, California Public Utilities Commission, and CAISO draw from their figures when determining how much energy generation to require utilities to purchase, where to upgrade power lines, and how to prevent future blackouts. [Politico]

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Save Local Business Act Vote Pulled

In January, the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace and 74 other employer organizations sent a letter to all members of the House of Representatives in support of the Save Local Business Act, which would amend the NLRA and FLSA to clarify that an entity is only a joint employer if it directly and immediately exercises meaningful control over workers’ essential terms and conditions of employment. The letter explained, “This common-sense approach would provide much-needed clarity to the regulated community, ensure workers are appropriately protected under these statutes, and provide predictability to all stakeholders following years of policy swings with each change of administration.” A floor vote was expected, but unfortunately, it was pulled after several Republican members indicated they wouldn’t support the bill.

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CBS Report: Scathing Report on Democrats' Overwhelming Ignoring of State Auditor Recommendations

A new CBS News analysis confirmed what many taxpayers already suspected: California's Democrat-run Legislature ignores the watchdogs meant to prevent waste, fraud, and government failure. Despite repeated audits flagging serious breakdowns, lawmakers have failed to act on most recommended fixes. These are not partisan attacks; they are formal warnings from the state's own independent auditor. Yet in a Capitol dominated by a Democratic supermajority, accountability consistently takes a back seat to politics. Audits have warned about massive unemployment fraud, weak oversight of homelessness spending, unsafe drinking water in vulnerable communities, and gaps in public safety systems, and lawmakers still failed to follow through. The same problems resurface year after year while costs rise and trust erodes. It is not just bureaucratic dysfunction; it is a pattern of neglect made possible by one-party rule. Check out the CBS report here.

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Bills Moving in the Legislature

AB 805 (Fong) Career Apprenticeship Bridge Program. 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 preapprenticeship and apprenticeship programs for individuals beginning in high school and connecting with college-level apprenticeships.  1/27/2026 - In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. WECA Position: Rec Support

AB 1198 (Haney) Public works: prevailing wages. 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. The bill exempts a housing development project if 100 percent of the units, excluding managers’ units, are restricted by deed, regulatory restrictions contained in an agreement with a governmental agency, or other recorded document, as affordable housing for persons and families of low or moderate income, as defined in Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code. 1/26/2026 - Read second time. Ordered to third reading. WECA Position: Oppose

AB 1235 (Rogers) California State University: skilled and trained workforce requirement. 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. Costs of an unknown, but likely significant amount, in excess of $150,000, to CSU for increased administrative costs to ensure compliance with new contracting requirements (General Fund). CSU may also incur potentially significant increased project costs, to the extent this bill increases bid prices or deters some contractors from bidding. In cases where a foregone contractor would have been the low bidder, CSU will pay more, and remaining contractors may face less competitive pressure when bidding on contracts, thus increasing contract costs. Additionally, to the extent this bill slows down the contract and procurement process, thereby jeopardizing time-sensitive funding sources or the use of low-dollar expeditious acquisition methods, there may be a corresponding fiscal impact to CSU. 1/26/2026 - Read second time. Ordered to third reading. WECA Position: Watch

AB 1439 (Garcia) Public retirement systems: development projects: labor standards. Establishes preconditions on public employee retirement system investments and financing of existing and new development projects in California. Requires STWF but not a PLA. 1/26/2026 - Read second time. Ordered to third reading. WECA Position: Watch

SB 33 (Cortese) Public contracts: claim resolution. This bill deletes the sunset date of a claims resolution process that enables contractors to seek public agency review of claims that arise during public works projects. 1/26/2026 - Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 39, Noes 0) Ordered to the Assembly. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk. WECA Position: Support

SB 222 (Wiener) Residential heat pump systems: water heaters and HVAC: installations. Establishes limitations and requirements for local agency permitting of residential heat pump heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and heat pump water heaters. 1/26/2026 - Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 29, Noes 8) Ordered to the Assembly. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk. WECA Position: Watch

SB 247 (Smallwood-Cuevas) State agency contracts: bid preference: equity metrics. 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. 1/27/2026 - Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 30, Noes 10) Ordered to the Assembly. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk. WECA Position: Rec Support

SB 342 (Umberg) Contractors: unlicensed work. 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. 1/26/2026 - Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 39, Noes 0) Ordered to the Assembly. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk. WECA Position: Support

WECA is proud to announce that the WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship Program has been named a grantee of Arizona's newly-awarded BuildItAZ grants for 2026.

On Jan. 7, Gov. Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) announced that the BuildItAZ Apprenticeship Initiative is awarding an additional $3 million to ten Arizona registered apprenticeship programs as it works to fill more than 20,000 construction jobs the state projects will be needed by 2030. These grants, which follow other rounds of funding, connect Arizonans to earn-while-you-learn opportunities to build high-skill careers across the state."

"We are continuing to invest in Arizona workers," said Gov. Hobbs in the press release. "Through our BuildItAZ initiative, Arizonans are gaining crucial skills to succeed in our construction workforce and achieve family-sustaining careers. These apprenticeships are the foundation for Arizonans' economic security and Arizona's growth."

This new grant will help WECA continue to expand our training capacity, invest in equipment, continue and broaden our outreach and recruitment efforts, and provide additional support services to apprentices.

“We deeply appreciate both the opportunity and the support to help build more in the Arizona apprenticeship system, giving more men and women access to the great careers in skilled trades,” said Heath Anderson, WECA Arizona’s Outreach and Workforce Development Specialist.

WECA thanks Gov. Hobbs and the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity for helping WECA build a strong and diverse electrical workforce in Arizona and continue our mission to advance skills, safety, and professionalism in the Arizona electrical industry. 

As you probably know, the cost of health care continues to rise year after year. WECA California Commercial Apprentices receive major medical coverage, dental coverage, vision coverage, short term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, as well as an Employee Assistance Program.

In order to maintain the insurance benefit coverage provided to Apprentices, the WECA Health and Welfare Trustees have approved the following changes:

• Effective with the Commercial Apprentice Hours reported for hours worked in March 2026, the hourly health and welfare contribution will increase from $4.50 to $6.50.

In addition, the following changes will be made to the Commercial Apprentices’ hour bank account:

• The credited hour bank hours used to purchase one month’s health and welfare benefits will be increased to 140 hours.
• The new maximum Hour Bank reserve will be 560 hours (four month’s insurance premiums).
• These changes are effective with hours reported by your employer for January 2026, and for hours used to purchase March 2026 insurance benefits.

Please note that the hourly rate has not otherwise been changed since December 2010.

If you have questions regarding these changes, please contact the WECA office at 916-453-0112.

Download Your Pamphlet Within

Content Courtesy of HR California/CalChamber
 

Content courtesy of HR California/CalChamber

California has a new required employee notice under the California Workplace Know Your Rights Act (SB 294). Download your pamphlet below.

Employers must provide the notice to:

• All current employees on or before February 1, 2026
• Employees every year after that
• All new hires upon hire (starting February 1, 2026)

This is a stand-alone notice covering key worker rights, including workers' compensation, immigration-related protections, the right to engage in concerted activity, and constitutional rights when interacting with law enforcement.

How employers can deliver the notice:

• In print
• Digitally (email or text) if it's reasonable to expect the employee receives it within one business day

Questions? Call 800-331-8877 or email customerservice@calchamber.com.

Download your pamphlet here.

There's Less Than a Month Left to Register to Join WECA and Industry Partner eBacon on February 19th for a "Wage Against the Machine" Webinar

Webinar Will Cover Certified Payroll Strategies for Long-Term Success
 

Join WECA and Industry Partner eBacon on February 19th for a webinar covering certified payroll strategies for long-term success.

The webinar will cover topics including:

· What is Certified Payroll and Why Does it Matter?

· Advantages of Certified Payroll for Small Businesses

· Breaking Down the Certified Payroll Process

· Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

· Tools and Strategies for Simplifying Certified Payroll

· Avoiding Costly Mistakes

· Embracing Compliance for Long-Term Success

Register today to join us online on February 19th, at 9 AM PDT/10 AM MST, for this informative, hour-long webinar.

This webinar is complimentary for WECA Member Contractors and their employees. All others are $55/registration.

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.

Story

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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]

Please join us in congratulating those re-elected and newly elected to the 2026 WECA Boards!

Serving a three-year term:

WECA Board of Directors

• Rick Butterfield (Incumbent), Butterfield Electric Inc., Sacramento Region
• Mark Cooper (Incumbent), H & D Electric, Inc., Sacramento Region 
• Ian Vander Linden (Incumbent), KS Telecom, Inc., Sacramento Region                     
• Rob McMilliam (Incumbent), Bergelectric Corp., San Diego Region

WECA Apprenticeship and Training Board of Trustees

• Clint Alessandro (Incumbent), Alessandro Electric, Sacramento, California Region
• Matt Liefer (Incumbent), Helix Electric, Inc., Sacramento, California Region
• Jacob Pavletich, Pavletich Electric & Communications Inc, Central California Region

WECA Health and Welfare and Pension Board of Trustees

• Jeremy Alessandro (Incumbent), Alessandro Electric, Sacramento Region 
• Erika Covarrubias (Incumbent), Royal Electric Co., Inc., Sacramento Region
• Dustin Phillips (Incumbent), Butterfield Electric Inc., Sacramento Region

We're pleased to share that on October 29, 2025, WECA received approval as an Idaho Apprentice Electrical Education Provider from the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) Electrical Board. WECA Apprentices who have graduated from a WECA Apprenticeship program in any of our existing states will not be subject to transcript review by the Idaho DOPL. Please note this approval is for licensing only; if you are working on a Davis-Bacon project in Idaho and would like to use your existing WECA Registered Apprentice(s), please contact WECA for guidance.

Program Information and Exams | Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses

Board-Approved Apprentice Programs (PDF)

Here's a toast to 2025 and to WECA excellence in the Sacramento region as we begin 2026! WECA celebrated our second run of 2025 congratulating our Sacramento Region Member Contractors who made the Sacramento Business Journal's Top Electrical list, which was just included in the publication's year-end Book of Lists compendium.

Congratulations to WECA Member Contractors Vasko Electric, Inc., Setpoint Control, Inc., Royal Electric Company, Rex Moore Group, North State Electrical Contractors, Inc., KS Telecom, Inc., Helix Electric, Garrahan Electric, Inc., Butterfield Electric, Bosley Electric Company, Barnum & Celillo Electric, and Alessandro Electric, Inc. on your accolades!

Content courtesy of CA DIR

December 31, 2025

The California Labor Commissioner’s Office (“LCO”) is responsible for enforcing the Labor Code, including compliance with newly enacted or amended laws to combat wage and pay disparities. This letter seeks to inform and ensure that employers understand their legal requirements and potential consequences for noncompliance with some of the most significant state laws effective in 2026. Each of these provisions is effective on January 1, 2026, unless noted otherwise.

Increase in State Minimum Wage to $16.90

The California statewide minimum wage increases to $16.90 on January 1, 2026. The updated minimum wage order is posted on the Labor Commissioner’s website at https://www.dir.ca.gov/iwc/WageOrderIndustries.htm. There may be higher minimum wages for certain healthcare or fast-food industry employees or in certain localities pursuant to a local ordinance.

Workplace Know Your Rights Act

Senate Bill (SB) 294 enacted Labor Code sections 1550-1559, also known as the Workplace Know Your Rights Act. The Act requires that an employer provide an annual notice to their employees regarding certain workplace rights, including the right to have their employer notify a designated emergency contact if an employee is arrested or detained at work.

Annual Workplace Rights Notice

On or before February 1, 2026, and each year after that, an employer must provide employees a required workplace rights notice. The Labor Commissioner has posted model notices on its website that an employer can use, including versions in English and Spanish. Versions in Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Korean, Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi will soon be posted. An employer must provide the notice in the language usually used to communicate employment-related information to the employee and which the employee understands, if the language is available as a template notice provided by the Labor Commissioner.

The annual notice to employees must include seven categories of information spelled out in the statute, which include information about workers’ compensation, the right to notice of an I-9 inspection by immigration agencies, protection against unfair immigration-related practices, constitutional rights when interacting with law enforcement in the workplace, labor organizing rights, a description of new laws affecting workplace rights, and a list of the enforcement agencies that may enforce the underlying rights in the notice.

By July 1, 2026, the Labor Commissioner also will post a video for employees advising them of their rights and a video for employers advising them of their rights and requirements. All postings will be on the Labor Commissioner’s Office website. An employer who violates the notice requirement shall be subject to a penalty of up to $500 per employee.

Notifying a Designated Emergency Contact of an Employee’s Arrest or Detention

SB 294 requires that, if an employee has asked an employer to notify a designated emergency contact, an employer must notify the designated contact if the employee is arrested or detained on the worksite or, when an employer has actual knowledge, if the employee is arrested or detained during work hours but not on the worksite. Therefore, starting January 1, 2026, an employer must notify an emergency contact in the event of an arrest or detention as described above.

By March 30, 2026, an employer must provide employees the opportunity to name emergency contacts and to indicate whether the emergency contact should be notified if the employee is arrested or detained. An employer who violates the requirements to notify a designated emergency contact shall be subject to a penalty of up to $500 per day per employee, with a maximum penalty of $10,000 per employee.

Expanded Statute of Limitations and Recovery Period for Equal Pay Act Claims

The California Equal Pay Act ensures equal pay for employees who perform substantially similar work when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility. SB 642 establishes that an employee may bring an Equal Pay Act claim up to three years after the last date the cause of action occurs. The bill also establishes that when an employee brings a claim within three years, an employee can obtain relief for the entire period of time the violation of the Equal Pay Act lasted, not to exceed six years of violations. SB 642 also makes clear that an Equal Pay Act cause of action occurs when: (1) An alleged unlawful compensation decision or other practice is adopted; (2) An individual becomes subject to an alleged unlawful compensation decision or other practice; or (3) When an individual is affected by application of an alleged unlawful compensation decision or other practice, including each time wages, benefits, or other compensation is paid, resulting in whole or in part from the decision or other practice.

Updated Paid Sick Leave Poster

Recent legislation (AB 406 and AB 2499) clarifies and expands the purposes for which employees may take paid sick leave, including for jury duty, to appear in court to comply with a subpoena or other court order as a witness, and in certain situations when an employee or their family member is a crime victim. The Labor Commissioner’s Office has updated its paid sick leave poster (Spanish) (Korean) (Tagalog) (Chinese Simplified) (Vietnamese) and paid sick leave FAQs to reflect these purposes.

Join WECA and Industry Partner eBacon on February 19th for a webinar covering certified payroll strategies for long-term success.

The webinar will cover topics including:

· What is Certified Payroll and Why Does it Matter?

· Advantages of Certified Payroll for Small Businesses

· Breaking Down the Certified Payroll Process

· Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

· Tools and Strategies for Simplifying Certified Payroll

· Avoiding Costly Mistakes

· Embracing Compliance for Long-Term Success

Register today to join us online on February 19th, at 9 AM PDT/10 AM MST, for this informative, hour-long webinar.

This webinar is complimentary for WECA Member Contractors and their employees. All others are $55/registration.

Content courtesy of Foundation for Fair Contracting

The 2026 conference schedule has been posted here. These events are provided free to the public works construction community. Please save the dates below:

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Prevailing Wage Conference/Labor Compliance Webinar

Co-hosted with the California State Labor Commissioner's Office

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Prevailing Wage Conference/Labor Compliance Webinar

Co-hosted with the California State Labor Commissioner's Office

Thursday, June 18, 2026 (Live Event)

Prevailing Wage/Labor Compliance Workshop

Co-hosted with the California State Labor Commissioner's Office and County of San Francisco

Thursday, August 13, 2026

Prevailing Wage/Labor Compliance Webinar

Co-hosted with the California State Labor Commissioner's Office

Thursday, October 15, 2026

Prevailing Wage Conference/Labor Compliance Webinar

Co-hosted with the California State Labor Commissioner's Office

Registration details can be found here.

Content courtesy of OSHA Today

Arizona Task Force Proposes New Heat-Safety Rules for Workers

• Arizona's Workplace Heat Safety Task Force has issued new recommendations aimed at protecting employees from increasingly dangerous summer temperatures.
• The plan calls for statewide workplace guidelines requiring access to water, rest, and shade for workers exposed to extreme heat.
• Arizona currently has no detailed heat-safety rules despite recording some of the nation's hottest conditions.
• The recommendations will now move to state officials for review and potential adoption.

Four WECA Member Contractors have ended the year on a high note! Please join us in congratulating Power Design, Inc., Helix Electric, Bergelectric, and Nox Group (Corbins) on making Engineering News-Record's Top 50 Firms in Electrical list (a subset of the Top 600 Contractors list).

• Power Design, Inc. (#12)
• Helix Electric (#18)
• Bergelectric (#22)
• Nox Group (Corbins) (#44)

Congratulations, everyone, and thank you for representing WECA excellence in 2025! We look forward to continuing to celebrate our members' accomplishments in 2026!

WECA congratulates Member Contractor Royal Electric Company (led by President and CEO Dina Kimble) for ranking as the #3 Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) firm on Engineering News-Record's 2025 Top 600 Specialty Contractors list!

Congratulations, Dina, and thank you for exemplifying the excellence of women in the construction industry!

Webinar Will Cover Certified Payroll Strategies for Long-Term Success


 

Join WECA and Industry Partner eBacon on February 19th for a webinar covering certified payroll strategies for long-term success.

The webinar will cover topics including:

· What is Certified Payroll and Why Does it Matter?

· Advantages of Certified Payroll for Small Businesses

· Breaking Down the Certified Payroll Process

· Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

· Tools and Strategies for Simplifying Certified Payroll

· Avoiding Costly Mistakes

· Embracing Compliance for Long-Term Success

Register today to join us online on February 19th, at 9 AM PDT/10 AM MST, for this informative, hour-long webinar.

This webinar is complimentary for WECA Member Contractors and their employees. All others are $55/registration.

Content courtesy of: California Department of Industrial Relations (CA DIR)

Oakland—The California Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO) reminds employers that the state minimum wage will increase from $16.50 to $16.90 per hour on January 1, 2026.

State law requires that most California workers be paid at least the minimum wage. Workers who are paid less than the minimum wage are encouraged to contact the Labor Commissioner’s Office in their area to file a wage claim.

Exempt Employees:

The increase in the minimum wage also affects exempt employees. Exempt employees are salaried workers who do not receive overtime pay. To meet this initial requirement of the exemption test, an employee must earn no less than twice the state minimum wage for full-time employment.

As of January 1, 2026, employees in California must earn an annual salary of at least $70,304 to meet this threshold.

Employers must post the statewide Minimum Wage Order and the industry-specific Wage Order applicable to their workplace in an area accessible to employees. The wage orders can be downloaded and printed from the workplace postings page on the Department of Industrial Relations website.

Employers must ensure that the wage rate is displayed on the employees’ pay stub, and that employees are paid at least the minimum wage, even when compensated on a piece-rate basis. Some cities and counties in California have a local minimum wage that is higher than the state rate.

Employers who fail to comply with minimum wage requirements may be required to pay back wages and penalties, including liquidated damages.

Workers who have questions or complaints related to their workplace rights can visit wagetheftisacrime.com or call the Labor Commissioner’s helpline in English or Spanish at 833-LCO-INFO (833-526-4636) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Employers with Questions on Requirements May Contact: MakeItFair@dir.ca.gov

Dear WECA Member Contractors, Industry Partners, and Supporters,

WECA is proud to announce the Arizona Graduating Class of 2025!

Our Commercial Electrical Apprentices in the Class of 2025 have successfully completed their education with WECA.

Help us honor their achievement with your sponsorship of their graduation event on:

Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 6:30 to 9:30 PM

The Grand Ballroom

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Phoenix Airport

320 North 44th Street

Phoenix, AZ 85008

Help us make their graduation memorable--your sponsorship can allow you and members of your team to attend the graduation event, which is especially meaningful for grads if you're their contractor. Plus, you can meet WECA instructors and staff, other member contractors, and electrical industry supporters as well. Sponsorship packages at different levels may include tickets to attend the graduation, ads in the graduation program, recognition of your sponsorship during the ceremony, mention of your support on our website, in our newsletters, and over social media.   

Please consider the sponsorship opportunities at the link below, and thank you for your support of electrical training, apprenticeship, and workforce development for Arizona!

Sincerely,

The WECA Graduation Team

Reserve your sponsorship package

Pictured left to right: Paydin Hamblin, Paul Roberts, and Cody Cosgrave

WECA Lead Instructor and Lab Manager Jimmie Slemp has done it again! Every year, Jimmie encourages his apprentices at WECA's California headquarters and training center in Rancho Cordova to donate to WECA's annual canned food drive, and every year, his apprentices deliver!

This year, it was Jimmie's third-year, first semester Commercial Electrical apprentices who got into the holiday spirit and kicked off the holiday season with their donations. 

Thank you, everyone, for giving back to the community during the holiday season. And it's just the beginning: there's still about a month left for apprentices to drop off donations at WECA's California headquarters and training center in Rancho Cordova! 

Manuel Lopez

United States Army

We're proud to spotlight Manuel Lopez, U.S. Army veteran and WECA Commercial Electrical apprentice.

Manuel shares how his time in the military, which included leading a fire team, training across multiple locations, and building strong camaraderie, prepared him for success in the electrical trade. 

He discusses how the teamwork, discipline, and hands-on skills he developed in the Army directly translate to his apprenticeship experience, and how WECA's program helps veterans continue to grow and lead in their new careers.

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Robert Lipke

United States Marine Corps

We're also proud to spotlight Robert Lipke, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and WECA Commercial Electrical apprentice.

After serving as an anti-tank missile gunner in the Marine Corps infantry, Robert found that transitioning "from a helmet to a hard hat" just made sense. The discipline, teamwork, and work ethic he developed in the military carried over naturally into his new career in the electrical trade.

Robert shares how he discovered a sense of purpose and direction through his apprenticeship after feeling uncertain about his path in college. He highlights the hands-on learning, career opportunities, and satisfaction that come with being part of the trades, and encourages others to consider this rewarding and stable career path. 

Classes and Business Services Will Commence at Our New, Expanded Phoenix-Area Facility on December 1st


 

Dear WECA community,

We're pleased to announce that our Arizona headquarters and training center is moving to a new and expanded facility to accommodate our growth and help us continue to better serve our Arizona Member Contractors and Apprentices.

Classes and business services will be located at the new facility effective December 1st.

WECA's Arizona headquarters/Phoenix Training Center will now be located at:

8331 W. Sherman St.

Tolleson, AZ 85353

Best regards,

The WECA Team

New Year, New and Expanded Facility!

WECA's Riverside Training Center is Moving!

Classes Will Commence at Our New, Expanded Riverside Facility on January 5th, 2026


 

Dear WECA community,

We're pleased to announce that our Riverside Training Center is moving to a new and expanded facility to accommodate our growth and help us continue to better serve our Inland Empire Member Contractors, Apprentices, and Electrician Trainees.

Classes and business services will be located at the new facility effective January 5th.

WECA's Riverside Training Center will now be located at:

21550 Van Buren Blvd.

Riverside, CA 92518

Best regards,

The WECA Team

Some of WECA's Curriculum Development, eLearning, and Educational Media and Technology team attended DevLearn 2025, North America's largest learning technologies conference and expo, earlier this month!

Attending conferences and expos such as DevLearn help keep WECA at the forefront of educational technologies across all of our cutting-edge electrical and low voltage training programs.

Electrician Trainees, watch your inboxes! We're about to open a new round of Western Electrical Contractors Education Foundation (WECEF) scholarship opportunities.

These scholarships help support students in continuing their education with WECA.

Oh, the places you'll go!

Get a quality electrician education from a school like WECA, and follow the WECA General Electrician Career Tree to see all the possibilities.

Download your flyer here!

Take Advantage of SmartDollar, Your FREE Apprenticeship Benefit

When Your Family is Your Why, You Can Do Anything

Not Yet Taking Advantage of SmartDollar? Get Started Below

Content courtesy of SmartDollar

It's easy to set goals for your money--but harder to stay motivated.

That's why your why matters. And when your family is your why, you can do anything.

With SmartDollar, you get a proven plan to eliminate debt, save money, and build a better future--for you and your family.

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Not yet signed up for SmartDollar? No worries -- getting started is easy! Learn how below.

SmartDollar is a financial wellness benefit for WECA apprentices. We announced our partnership with the Dave Ramsey-founded online financial wellness platform in January, 2021 to provide our apprentices with a sound foundation in personal finance management. This benefit is available to all WECA apprentices free of charge. Not yet signed up for SmartDollar? No worries -- scroll to the bottom of this article for instructions!

What is SmartDollar? SmartDollar is a step-by-step approach to handling money with the number-one authority in personal finance, Dave Ramsey. More than 4.5 million people have started on Dave's plan and taken control of their money, and you can too! SmartDollar will equip you to get out of debt, on a budget, and on your way to a strong financial foundation.

The average person pays off $9,405 of debt and saves $6,127 in the first twelve months, and you can too!

"This program is powerful yet simple to understand. The Baby Steps make understanding how to win with money easy! Dave's lessons are fun, informative, and incredibly encouraging. It really doesn't feel like I'm taking a financial course. It's more like learning finances from a good friend...or a financially savvy stand-up comedian! The online tools are fantastic as well, and I love being able to 'ASK DAVE' any question and do my budget online. Love it all!" - Recent participant

With SmartDollar, you'll learn how to...

• Jump-start your money
• Knock out debt
• Secure your dream home
• Retire in style
• Demystify your credit score

How does SmartDollar work? With so many ways to engage in SmartDollar activities and content, SmartDollar Points have been designed to encourage users to establish true behavior change. (Check out the graph below for a quick rundown). The greater the importance and required time of each activity, the greater the amount of points that can be earned. For example, each Core Lesson video completed is worth 250 points. Completing a shorter Deep Dive video is worth 50 points. Tracking a transaction in EveryDollar is only worth 20 points, but users are encouraged to track all their financial transactions with no points limitations. These example activities are key for building the confidence you need to reach your financial goals.

Taking advantage of your free financial wellness benefit, SmartDollar, is easy!

To set up your account after accessing your dashboard, click either of the links shown as highlighted in the screenshot to the right of this paragraph. You'll be taken to a page with a SmartDollar enrollment link, where you will be able to set up immediate access to this important benefit.

Ready to get started?

Login to your GOWECA dashboard

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.

Story

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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.

More

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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.

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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