Economy

Consumer groups say some new “earned wage access” services are similar to payday loans, but they’ve been operating in a legal gray area. A California department has proposed rules that would be the first in the country to systematically regulate the industry.

Workers denied pandemic-era jobless benefits are still struggling with debt and stress — collateral damage as they fight a state employment agency on edge about fraud and an appeals system facing a 'historic' backlog. What happens next with these and other legal battles will help decide who pays for a multi-billion-dollar debacle three years in the making.

A report from California’s department devoted to business oversight says state and federal regulators saw reasons for concern over Silicon Valley Bank’s financial practices, but didn’t force changes soon enough.

After the demise of two regional banks, experts had some ideas for what the state could do differently. A clearer picture will emerge once the state’s regulator publishes a report, and lawmakers discuss options.

A California bill would hold social media companies legally responsible for addicting kids to their platforms. Tech lobbyists, digital rights advocates, and others say the proposal would run afoul of federal law and the U.S. Constitution.

A bevy of new legislation takes aim at hidden fees across several industries. A growing body of research mostly shows that people spend more when fees are revealed later.

Evidence from pilot programs show that 32 hour weeks are feasible, but business groups in California say it won’t work for all companies. Lawmakers in California and D.C. are introducing bills that would encourage or require shortened work weeks.

A court ruling last week upheld much of a 2020 gig-worker initiative, but found part of the measure was invalid. The part the court struck down opens the door to driver unionization legislation, according to labor advocates challenging the initiative.

The Newsom administration announces it will go through the state Energy Commission instead of the Legislature for a penalty on windfall profits of oil refiners.

California has sometimes moved to help victims of emergencies who are excluded from federal aid‚ such as undocumented workers and cannabis businesses.