Written by Michael Palomba
Similarly to the sexual assault allegations against Joe Biden, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez’s AB 5 has been flying under the radar due to the coronavirus pandemic. But not everyone has forgotten about the bill and its disastrous effects on the gig economy.
Assemblyman Kevin Kiley has openly and repeatedly called for the immediate suspension of AB 5. Last week, former congressman and current congressional candidate Darrell Issa joined Kiley in calling on Governor Newsom to suspend AB 5.
Gov. Newsom just pledged to "do everything we can to keep small businesses afloat." Suspending #AB5 is something the Governor can do that would keep many small businesses afloat.
— Kevin Kiley (@KevinKileyCA) April 6, 2020
He also wrote an open letter calling for the suspension of AB 5, which has been signed by over 100 California economists.
Joe Mathews of Fox & Hounds also believes that AB 5 should be suspended, even though he supports it.
“Transitioning to the new AB regime was already proving to be extremely difficult before the COVID19 pandemic hit. Now, the transition is impossible,” wrote Matthews.
Mathews also acknowledged that workers are “having their lives upended” and “facing the prospect of furloughs and layoffs.”
At a time like this, people need to be able to work in whatever way possible, and Matthews agrees. He says, “I’m not calling for AB 5’s repeal… But it clearly needs to be suspended right now.”
Kiley tweeted the story of Richard and Monica, who are suffering as a result of AB 5.
#AB5stories, Richard: "My wife Monica came from Brazil & became a Portuguese translator. She just lost her income (3x minimum wage) to #AB5. If she could still work during Stay at Home she'd make money to get us through this time. AB 5 took that chance away, the question is why?"
— Kevin Kiley (@KevinKileyCA) April 7, 2020
Richard and Monica are not alone. Millions are newly unemployed and people are struggling. AB 5 destroys several sectors of the economy by essentially eliminating the independent contractors who make up huge swaths of the labor force. It needs to be placed on hold so that Monica, and many others like her, can find work and regain financial security.
