Senator Padilla’s Statement on Governor’s Veto of Consumer Protections Against Predatory Loopholes in Public Contracts

SACRAMENTO –Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) released the following statement today following Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of Senate Bill 751, a measure that would have ended the practice of private entities abusing Act of God provisions, undermining a worker’s right to strike.

“This veto leaves communities vulnerable to business practices that place the public between an employer and a workforce in the event of a labor dispute. I have seen firsthand how a business’s unwillingness to pay workers a fair wage led to a public health crisis. California businesses and residents should not have to suffer for workers exercising their right to strike and companies should not be shielded from liability when workers are demanding better wages and safer working conditions. Our failure to protect the public against these malicious loopholes undermines California’s robust labor and consumer protections.”

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Steve Padilla represents the 18th Senate District, which includes the communities of Chula Vista, the Coachella Valley, Imperial Beach, the Imperial Valley, National City, and San Diego. Prior to his election to the Senate in 2022, Senator Padilla was the first person of color ever elected to city office in Chula Vista, the first Latino Mayor, and the first openly LGBT person to serve or be elected to city office. Website of Senator Steve Padilla: https://sd18.senate.ca.gov/