Newly-minted Calif. Senator Laphonza Butler is defending her record of consulting for Uber while the company lobbied against AB 5, the 2019 California law that re-classified many independent contractors as employees eligible for state wage and benefit requirements.
What they’re saying: Some on the left criticized Butler’s appointment by Governor Gavin Newsom due to her association with Uber. However, Butler stated that she believes workers should have the protections of employment.
ADVERTISEMENT
- Butler, who has spent her career in the labor movement, stated, “My work on AB5 was exactly that” – referring to her goal of ensuring fair opportunities for workers to build unions.
- The nature of Butler’s specific work on AB 5 was not disclosed, as she declined to discuss the details.
- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer paid tribute to Senator Dianne Feinstein in the Senate chamber, calling her a consequential public servant of uncommon integrity. Schumer will also be speaking at Feinstein’s San Francisco funeral.
- Schumer highlighted Feinstein’s determination and cause-driven approach, recalling her successful efforts in pushing for an assault weapons ban despite strong opposition from the National Rifle Association.
