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What I’ve Been Reading This Week


Perhaps this should have been the What I’ve Been Reading This:  Governor Edition.  While I came across several articles worth highlighting this week, the two below in regard to developments in California and Michigan are noteworthy.  If readers find the time, I would suggest diving deeper into the below circumstances surrounding the situations in California and Michigan as there are several nuanced details worth reading.

As always, below are a couple articles that caught my eye this week.


California Governor Relies Upon Support of Organized Labor In Recall Fight

As Politico reports, California Governor Gavin Newsom is relying upon the support (and money) of organized labor to coalesce around him heading into the recall election that is expected to take place in the coming months.  The Governor, a staunch supporter of organized labor, enjoyed the support of unions in 2018 when he was elected.  (During that election, organized labor spent about $12 million to support Newsom’s candidacy.)  Heading into the upcoming recall election, organized labor has spent around $2 million so far with the expectation that more money will be put behind the Governor in the coming weeks and months.  For a recall election that could impact the success of employee and labor friendly initiatives in the state, I would expect to see an increase in spending in an effort to help the Governor survive the recall election.


Michigan Governor Proposes Using $300 Million of Covid Aid to Boost Statewide Minimum Wage Rate

Michigan Governor Gretchen Witmer recently introduced a proposal that would use $300 million of Covid aid to boost the statewide minimum wage rate in Michigan to $15/hour.  Under the Governor’s proposal, the state would provide grants to employers to fund the difference between the current rate of pay and $15...so long as employers agreed to pay $15/hour for three months thereafter.  Granted, with this proposal needing to be approved the the Republican controlled Legislature in Michigan, this proposal might remain just that...a proposal that does not advance past initial discussions.

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