Californias work-from-home revolution is now in Gavin Newsoms hands

California legislation that would allow state government employees to work from home is on its way to the governor’s desk — where it will likely face its biggest hurdle.Lawmakers recently passed Assembly Bill 1729 with bipartisan backing, which would require the state to implement a telework plan where remote work is suitable and to mandate agencies to provide justification for making workers report on site.The state Senate passed it 31-6, and the state Assembly previously voted for it 67-7.The passed bill is a response to complaints from state labor groups who are unhappy with Gov.Gavin Newsom’s order that most state employees who were working remotely return to the office four days a week starting last month.“These are the people we need to (take) care of because (they) are executing our ambitions, and to see them have their morale just plummet because the governor’s forcing … an outdated model was really heartbreaking to me,” bill author Assemblymember Alex Lee (D) told the Sacramento Bee.While a number of Republicans voted against the bill, some have thrown their support and agreed remote work can be a good thing.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story “It has the potential to save the state hundreds of millions of dollars on office space, reduce traffic congestion on Sacramento roads and help California remain competitive with the private sector,” Assemblymember Josh Hoover (R) told the Folsom Telegraph.Lee’s bill, however, is likely to be vetoed by Newsom, who has repeatedly defended his return-to-office demand.

The return to offices was needed to improve collaboration and public service, Newsom has said.“One of them is a crisis of loneliness.People not feeling connected,” the governor said at a press conference.

“I w...