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"Concern about AI replacing workers is leading labor unions and Democratic lawmakers to push for more protections. One bill demands humans remain the medical decision-makers in hospitals and clinics. Another bill would prevent employers from using workers' data to train AI tools that end up replacing them. Industry groups are largely opposed, arguing the bills hinder innovation. Appropriations committees in the senate and assembly now decide which measures advance or die, in large part based on their fiscal impact."

"Across California, demand for mobile crisis services - an alternative to badges and sirens for people in their darkest moments - is surging. But just as these services are proving their worth, federal funding that supercharged their growth is set to end. Lacking that boost, Gov. Gavin Newsom's budget blueprint proposes changing the service from a required benefit to an optional one, meaning the state does not have to cover the funding gap."

"Counties that choose to keep this service will have to pay for it themselves at a price tag of $150 million to $200 million a year. Where counties cannot afford it, crisis teams could decrease or disappear entirely, if the Legislature approves the governor's budget proposal. In 2023, California made mobile crisis response a statewide benefit when a federal law offered a financial incentive to do so: the federal government would temporarily cover 85% of the costs, up from the usual 50%."

Several bills pending in Sacramento aim to add guardrails for artificial intelligence in the workplace. Labor unions and Democratic lawmakers are pushing protections driven by concerns about AI replacing workers. One proposal requires humans to remain the medical decision-makers in hospitals and clinics. Another proposal would restrict employers from using workers’ data to train AI tools that could replace them. Industry groups oppose the measures, arguing they would hinder innovation. Appropriations committees will determine which bills move forward based largely on fiscal impact. Separately, demand for mobile crisis services is rising as an alternative to police response. Federal funding that increased costs coverage is set to end, and the governor’s budget blueprint would change the service from a required benefit to an optional one, shifting costs to counties at $150 million to $200 million annually.

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