During this time of crisis does it really make sense to deprive laid off California workers of an opportunity to make a living as temporary, gig economy workers? The Wall Street Journal has praised the gig economy as being a 'rescue' for many in this time of widespread need with companies like Uber, Lyft, GrubHub, Postmates and Uber Eats providing much needed delivery options for housebound residents as well as a supplemental source of income for laid off workers. Please encourage our Governor to do the right thing and SUSPEND enforcement of this deeply flawed measure at least for the duration of this crisis.

1. Governor Gavin Newsom,
Please SUSPEND enforcement of Assembly Bill 5 / Dynamex.
On 3/19/2020, the Wall Street Journal posted an Op Ed entitled ‘The Gig Economy to the Rescue’
as an industry segment providing practical and lifesaving solutions to the current COVID-19 crisis.
 The article cites groups like Uber and Lyft as providing a transportation alternative to mass
public transit with its potential to infect more people.
 Pursuant to recent state mandates for restaurants to switch from dining-in to take-out and
delivery options, the article praises options like GrubHub, DoorDash and Uber Eats for
providing these services, particularly beneficial to our elderly, at risk populations who are
discouraged from venturing from their home by your most recent mandate.
 Americans in most cities can also obtain groceries and medication delivered through apps like
Postmates and Shipt from CVS, CostCo and Kroger.
 Local grocers like Stater Bros., Albertson’s and others are currently hiring drivers to help deliver
critical supplies to the housebound.
 Amazon just announced it would be hiring 100,000 workers to meet increasing delivery demand
while increasing starting wage for these workers from $15/hour to $17.00.
Everywhere but California, where hiring gig economy workers and independent contractors is illegal
under the terms of recently enacted legislation known as Dynamex/AB 5. You are no doubt aware of
the consequences of this deeply flawed measure, which included carve-outs for well lobbied interests.
The measure also faces debate in the current (postponed) legislature either to repeal the measure or
include additional carve-outs proposed in no fewer than 34 pending bills.
In this time when the Corona Virus is exacting widespread economic hardship on millions of workers, is
it really the time to make it even more difficult for California workers to obtain some stop-gap
work and pay their bills during this difficult time?
While debate on the merits of AB 5 will no doubt resume once the current legislative delay is over, it is
very counter productive as well as counter intuitive to enforce this measure at this time. We encourage
you to SUSPEND Assembly Bill 5 right now and allow Californians who are able and eager to make a
living as they were free to do until less than 90 days ago, to do just that, at least through the duration of
this crisis. The economic impact of COVID-19 will linger long after the virus has been contained and
mitigated. SUSPENSION of AB 5 would go a long ways toward helping our state recover.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Office of the Governor Fax: (916) 558-3160
Email: https://govapps.gov.ca.gov/gov40mail/
Mail: 1303 10th Street, Suite 1173,
Sacramento, CA 95814