More to come.

To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 549 without my signature.

This bill, along with two others I am returning without my signature, would significantly
expand California’s workplace leave laws.  While some expansion of existing law may
have merit, these laws in combination are too expansive and also fail to recognize the
need for reforms to current law.

California has the strongest employment leave and workplace protection laws in the
country.  While these laws have been enacted with the best of intentions, they have also
caused much confusion for employers and employees.  Unfortunately, many California-
only standards in areas such as family leave, overtime, and meal and rest periods have
been developed haphazardly and have resulted in needless litigation that has created a
perception that California is not friendly to business.

Instead of expanding the confusing network of laws that presently exist, employers and
employees should be working together to eliminate confusion and create a system of
workplace laws that protects workers, provides reasonable leave requirements, and offers
both employers and employees flexibility to meet their respective needs.

For these reasons, I am returning this bill without my signature.

Sincerely,

Arnold Schwarzenegger