June 14, 2009

The Southwest California Legislative Council supports two proposed laws that would clarify convoluted meal break laws for employers and ensure a level playing field for all business owners.

SB 287 would provide a comprehensive solution to the meal period laws that often serve as challenges to employers and employees when allowing for appropriate meal breaks while on duty. SB 568 removes any capital gains from being considered as “ordinary” income and sets a flat rate of 2%, creating a more equitable tax rate that maintains conformity under federal law. The current system penalizes one tax bracket over another.

SB 287 is sponsored by many businesses and organizations throughout California as it would do the following:

• Clarifies what it means “to provide,” a meal and rest period – reducing unnecessary litigation on this matter;

• Includes an “on-duty” provision for when transporting or delivery of the product, will be destroyed or damaged if the employee is relieved of all duty;

• And allows for the inclusion of meal and rest period provisions in collective bargaining agreements.
 

Click here to take action on SB 287

SB 568 would do the following:

• Removes any capital gains income as “ordinary” income, which is defined as wages, interest and dividends;

• For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2009, allow a taxpayer to elect to pay a tax on the sale or disposition of any capital asset in an amount equal to 2% of the total net capital gain;

• And reduces the risk for California which relies heavily on capital gains taxes, eliminating the boom and busts in revenue from capital gains.
 

Click here to take action on SB 568