CalWatchdog Morning Read – September 13

• Brown signs farmworker overtime bill
• Issa’s congressional challenger previously accused of stalking ex-wife and more
• Former assemblyman sentenced to a year in federal custody for laundering bribes
• Renewable energy usage is up while natural gas is down 
• Will Prop. 53 matter much if it passes?

Good morning. Even though the legislative session has concluded, there’s still legislative intrigue as the governor decides what bills will become law. 

In fact, by 2022, California’s agriculture workers will have the same overtime pay structure as most other employees in the state after Gov. Jerry Brown signed the measure into law on Monday.

Farmworkers currently earn overtime pay past 60 hours in a work week and past 10 hours in a work day. But starting in 2019, the threshold will lower incrementally until 2022 when workers will earn time-and-a-half pay beyond 40 hours in a week and eight hours in a day under the new law.

Democratic supporters often argued that passing this measure was a matter of “fairness,” while detractors, mostly Republicans, said farming isn’t like other professions, as it’s susceptible to uncertainty caused by weather delays, perishable goods, seasonal schedules and external price setting. 

CalWatchdog has more.  

In other news:

• Republican Congressman Darrell Issa’s challenger, “retired Marine Colonel Douglas Applegate — a Southern California Democratic House candidate who was endorsed Monday by Attorney General Kamala Harris — was accused of ‘stalking,’ harassing and threatening his ex-wife, who was granted two temporary restraining orders, according to court records on file in Orange County, California,” writes Politico.
• “Former California Assemblyman Tom Calderon, a member of a now disgraced California political dynasty, was sentenced Monday to a year in federal custody for laundering bribes taken by his brother,” reports the Los Angeles Times.

• “California is using more renewables and less natural gas this summer. Improving drought conditions are playing a role. Power generated from natural gas dropped 20 percent this summer compared to June through August of last year.” Capital Public Radio has more.

• Prop. 53 — which would require voter approval for any project financed with at least $2 billion in revenue bonds — could have far-reaching consequences … or not. CalWatchdog has more.  

Legislature:

• Gone ’til December.

Gov. Brown:

• No public events announced.

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