“If this rule is too expensive for Newsom’s administration, what makes him think it’s OK to force it on businesses?”
Last week the Newsom administration rolled out a new air conditioner mandate for California workplaces that’s expected cost businesses hundreds of millions of dollars. If that sounds like a lot of money to you, the Governor agrees. That’s why he encouraged a special carve out for his administration and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
“California already has one of the most brutal business climates in the country. The last thing we need is another expensive regulation that will run companies out of the state. If this rule is too expensive for Newsom’s administration, what makes him think it’s OK to force it on businesses?” said Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher.
It’s not the first time the Governor has taken flak for demanding a special carve out on a policy that devastates businesses. This February, it came to light that Panera Bread wouldn’t have to comply with California’s new $20 dollar an hour minimum wage law under an odd exemption added last minute to the bill. Benefiting directly from this was a longtime Newsom ally, campaign donor and Panera franchisee Greg Flynn.
Between that and his classic pandemic-era move of attending a high-end dinner party while the rest of Californians were shuttered in their homes, it seems like Newsom is sticking to his trademark theme of “Rules for thee and not for me.”
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