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Uber, Lyft Drivers Make Last-Minute Push to Remain Their Own Bosses

SACRAMENTO OBSERVER — On Labor Day, Gov. Newsom voiced his support for Assembly Bill 5, a sign that the much fought-over legislation will be signed into law if the Senate votes pass it, which could be as early as the end of this week. In a last ditch effort to remain their “own bosses,” some Uber and Lyft drivers across the state, who are represented by an advocacy group called the “I’m Independent” coalition, are appealing to legislators to make an exemption for them.

Published

6 years ago

September 14, 2019

Sacramento Observer staff report

NAACP State President Alice Huffman and other statewide and local community based leaders. (Photo by: sacobserver.com)

By Tanu Henry

(CBM) – On Labor Day, Gov. Newsom voiced his support for Assembly Bill 5, a sign that the much fought-over legislation will be signed into law if the Senate votes pass it, which could be as early as the end of this week.

In a last ditch effort to remain their “own bosses,” some Uber and Lyft drivers across the state, who are represented by an advocacy group called the “I’m Independent” coalition, are appealing to legislators to make an exemption for them.

If the law passes, more than 300,000 app-enabled ride-share drivers in California, currently classified as contractors, would be forced to become W-2 employees.

“I am here to urge the legislature to fix the serious flaws in AB 5 that would harm communities of color. Latinos are 33 percent of the driving force. Blacks are 15 percent. We want to make sure these people are protected. That they are not put out of jobs because of inflexibility,” said Alice Huffman, President of the California Hawaii NAACP. “Ride-sharing has provided an immediate supplement to their income.”

Huffman was speaking on the steps of the State Capitol September 3 at a rally organized by the “I’m Independent” coalition. Civil rights leaders from the African-American, Latinx and Asian-American communities joined her with statements of their own, including James Sweeney, president of the Black American Political Association of California; Jay King, president of the California Black Chamber of Commerce; Julian Cañete, president of the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; and Pat Fong Kushida, president of the CalAsian Chamber of Commerce.

In May, the Assembly voted 59-15 in favor of the bill with 6 votes not recorded. Then, on August 30, the Senate Appropriations committee voted to pass it. It is now awaiting a vote on the Senate floor.

Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) authored AB 5, also known as the “Employee Misclassification bill.” It would lay down clear rules for how companies in California can hire contractors.

“Workers lose basic protections like the minimum wage, paid sick days and health insurance benefits. Employers shirk responsibility to safety net programs like workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance. Taxpayers are left to foot the bill,” the governor wrote in an editorial published in the Sacramento Bee.

If it passes, AB5 will impact more than 2 million contract workers in California.

Last year, the California Supreme Court handed down a decision with guidelines for employers to determine whether a worker is properly classified as an independent contractor. The ruling, commonly called “Dynamex,” was a significant change to the state’s existing labor laws and established the “ABC” test to be used as the rule of thumb.

Under the “ABC” test, for a worker to be classified as a freelancer or contractor, employers would have to prove that the person is (A) not working under the contracting company’s control, (B) is doing work that is not central to the company’s business, and (C) has an independent business providing a service. If workers don’t meet those requirements, companies would have to provide all employee pay and benefits required under California law.

Gonzalez says AB 5 would not only protect workers but taxpayers, too, who end up shouldering the costs for worker benefits like health insurance and retirement payments when companies neglect those responsibilities.

But the “I’m Independent” coalition sees it differently.

Advocates for the drivers who do not want to be reclassified under AB 5 say there are tens of thousands of Californians who drive Lyft and Uber even though they have other responsibilities like school, child care or other work. Those contractors depend on a flexible schedule, their supporters say, that allows them to earn money when they are available.

Only 7 percent of all drivers in the state prefer to become employees, according to “I’m Independent.”

The “I’m Independent” coalition also warns that reclassifying the drivers could force ride-share fares to go up and cause a shortage of transportation options in minority neighborhoods.

“African Americans across the state rely on ride-sharing services to get to work, to make it to school on time, to be present in their kids’ lives,” said Sweeney. “This is a big deal because for decades these same communities have been neglected by public transportation and taxi service.”

Lyft and Uber are proposing a fix to AB 5 through negotiation with lawmakers before the bill passes – or through an ammendment to the bill or a ballot initiative after it does. The plan the companies are circulating offers some protections for workers while classifying them as contractors.

“We are working on a solution that provides drivers with strong protections that include an earnings guarantee, a system of worker-directed portable benefits, and first-of-its kind industry-wide sectoral bargaining, without jeopardizing the flexibility drivers tell us they value so much,” a Lyft spokesperson told TechCrunch. “We remain focused on reaching a deal, and are confident about bringing this issue to the voters if necessary.”

Several lawmakers have made strong statements in support of AB 5, adding their support to Gonzalez who first introduced the bill in December last year.

“A lot of people are getting rich and it’s not the workers,” Gonzalez said at a recent Senate committee hearing for AB 5.

This article originally appeared in the Sacramento Observer.

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LIHEAP Funds Released After Weeks of Delay as States and the District Rush to Protect Households from the Cold

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The federal government has released $3.6 billion in home heating assistance after a delay that left states preparing for the start of winter without the program’s annual funding.

Published

1 week ago

December 1, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The federal government has released $3.6 billion in home heating assistance after a delay that left states preparing for the start of winter without the program’s annual funding. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, helps eligible households pay heating and cooling bills. The release follows a shutdown that stretched 43 days and pushed agencies across the country to warn families of possible disruptions.

State officials in Minnesota, Kansas, New York, and Pennsylvania had already issued alerts that the delay could slow the processing of applications or force families to wait until December for help. In Pennsylvania, more than 300,000 households depend on the program each year. Minnesota officials noted that older adults, young children, and people with disabilities face the highest risk as temperatures fall.

The delay also raised concerns among advocates who track household debt tied to rising utility costs. National Energy Assistance Directors Association Executive Director Mark Wolfe said the funds were “essential and long overdue” and added that high arrearages and increased energy prices have strained families seeking help.

Some states faced additional pressure when other services were affected by the shutdown. According to data reviewed by national energy advocates, roughly 68 percent of LIHEAP households also receive nutrition assistance, and the freeze in multiple programs increased the financial burden on low-income residents. Wolfe said families were placed in “an even more precarious situation than usual” as the shutdown stretched into November.

In Maryland, lawmakers urged the Trump administration to release funds after the state recorded its first cold-related death of the season. The Maryland Department of Health reported that a man in his 30s was found outdoors in Frederick County when temperatures dropped. Last winter, the state documented 75 cold-related deaths, the highest number in five years. Rep Kweisi Mfume joined more than 100 House members calling for immediate federal action and said LIHEAP “is not a luxury” for the 100,000 Maryland households that rely on it. He added that seniors and veterans would be placed at risk if the program remained stalled.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore used $10.1 million in state funds to keep benefits moving, but noted that states cannot routinely replace federal dollars. His administration said families that rely on medical equipment requiring electricity are particularly vulnerable.

The District of Columbia has already mapped out its FY26 LIHEAP structure in documents filed with the federal government. The District’s plan shows that heating assistance, cooling assistance, weatherization, and year-round crisis assistance operate from October 1 through September 30. The District allocates 50 percent of its LIHEAP funds to heating assistance, 10 percent to cooling, 13 percent to year-round crisis assistance, 15 percent to weatherization, and 10 percent to administrative costs. Two percent is used for services that help residents reduce energy needs, including education on reading utility bills and identifying energy waste.

The District’s plan lists a minimum LIHEAP benefit of $200 and a maximum of $1,800 for both heating and cooling assistance. Crisis benefits are provided separately and may reach up to $500 when needed to resolve an emergency. The plan states that a household is considered in crisis if it has been disconnected from energy service, if heating oil is at 5 percent or less of capacity, or if the household has at least $200 owed after the regular benefit is applied.

The District’s filing notes that LIHEAP staff conduct outreach through community meetings, senior housing sites, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, social media, posters, and mass mailings. The plan confirms that LIHEAP applicants can apply in person, by mail, by email, or through a mobile-friendly online application and that physically disabled residents may request in-home visits.

As agencies nationwide begin distributing the newly released funds, states continue working through large volumes of applications. Wolfe said LIHEAP administrators “have been notified that the award letters have gone out and the states can begin to draw down the funds.”

Stacy M. Brown

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Seven Steps to Help Your Child Build Meaningful Connections

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Swinging side by side with a friend on the playground. Sharing chalk over bright, colorful sidewalk drawings. Hiding behind a tree during a spirited game of hide-and-seek. These simple moments between children may seem small, but they matter more than we think

Published

1 week ago

December 1, 2025

Oakland Post

By Niyoka McCoy, Ed.D., Chief Learning Officer, Stride/K12

Swinging side by side with a friend on the playground. Sharing chalk over bright, colorful sidewalk drawings. Hiding behind a tree during a spirited game of hide-and-seek. These simple moments between children may seem small, but they matter more than we think: They lay the foundation for some of life’s most important skills.

Through everyday play, young children begin learning essential social and emotional skills like sharing, resolving conflicts, showing empathy, and managing their emotions. These social skills help shape emotional growth and set kids up for long-term success. Socialization in early childhood isn’t just a “nice-to-have”—it’s essential for development.

Yet today, many young children who haven’t yet started school aren’t getting enough consistent, meaningful interaction with peers. Research shows that there’s a decline in active free play and peer socialization when compared to previous generations.

There are many reasons for this. Children who are home with a parent during the day may spend most of their time with adults, limiting opportunities for peer play. Those in daycare or preschool may have restricted free play, and large classrooms can reduce supervision and social coaching. Some children live in rural areas, are homebound due to illness, have full schedules, or rely on screens to fill their playtime. And for some families, finding other families with young children to connect with isn’t easy.

While these challenges can feel significant, opportunities for connection still exist in every community. Families can take simple steps to help children build friendships, create a sense of belonging, and strengthen social skills. Here are some ideas to get started:

Storytime sessions at libraries or local bookstores
Community offerings such as parent-child workshops, art, music, gymnastics, swimming, or sports programs
Weekly events at children’s museums, which may include art projects, music workshops, or science experiments
Outdoor exploration, where kids can play with peers
Local parenting groups that organize playdates and group activities
Volunteer opportunities where children can participate, such as pet adoption events or packing meals at a food bank
Classes for kids at local businesses, including hardware, grocery, or craft stores

Some of these community activities are free or low-cost and give kids the chance to build friendships and practice social skills. Parents can also model positive social behavior by interacting with other parents and encouraging their children to play with their peers.

These may seem like small moments of connection, but they can have a powerful impact. Every time your child shares a toy, plays make-believe with peers, or races a friend down the slide, they’re not just playing—they’re learning the skills that build confidence, empathy, and lasting friendships. And it’s good for you, too. Creating intentional opportunities for play also helps you strengthen your own network of parents who can support one another as your children grow together.

Oakland Post

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Seven Steps to Help Your Child Build Meaningful Connections

Published

1 week ago

December 1, 2025

Oakland Post

By Niyoka McCoy, Ed.D., Chief Learning Officer, Stride/K12

Storytime sessions at libraries or local bookstores
Community offerings such as parent-child workshops, art, music, gymnastics, swimming, or sports programs
Weekly events at children’s museums, which may include art projects, music workshops, or science experiments
Outdoor exploration, where kids can play with peers
Local parenting groups that organize playdates and group activities
Volunteer opportunities where children can participate, such as pet adoption events or packing meals at a food bank
Classes for kids at local businesses, including hardware, grocery, or craft stores