Sacramento protest continues three weeks after return-to-office mandate

[00:00:03]Today marks 3 weeks since the return to office mandate took effect. It requires most state workers to go back to the office at least 4 days a week, but some are now pushing back tonight. ABC 10 state matters political reporter Jenny Ha has more.

[00:00:19]>> It's a lot to not only logistically plan for, but financially it's a large strain. We literally cannot afford the cost it is to return to office.

[00:00:30]>> [cheering] >> 3 weeks into the return to office mandate, California state employees continue to protest arguing a one-size-fits-all approach does not work.

[00:00:39]>> They made us believe that telework was the future, so we planned our lives around that.

[00:00:45]>> Crystal Aguilar has been with the State Franchise Tax Board for over a decade.

[00:00:49]Even in the pre-pandemic days, Aguilar says she only reported to the office 3 days a week. Aguilar says now she has to account for expenses she's never had to consider. Almost $1,000 more monthly in gas and child care costs.

[00:01:02]>> So this is worse for me.

[00:01:04]>> Michelle with the state's Employment Development Department declined to share her last name or show her face. She says she was hired remotely during COVID.

[00:01:11]>> I was told hybrid working is the new way of working and that they don't see us returning to office.

[00:01:16]>> Now Michelle says she has had to re-home her dogs and commutes 48 miles one way.

[00:01:22]Some of her biggest expenses, parking and gas.

[00:01:24]>> I'm forced to park at the meters, which can be about $48 a day.

[00:01:28]>> An option for state employees is to park at state parking lots like this one, but even this is competitive, they tell me.

[00:01:35]It often requires them signing up for an online lottery, which does not guarantee a spot.

[00:01:41]>> Public transportation for some of us is not an option.

[00:01:44]>> According to the California Department of General Services, the state operates 17 parking facilities in Sacramento, a total of 8,582 parking spaces. To get a spot, employees have to sign up for a tenant wait list or randomized online parking lottery system drawings.

[00:02:01]As of this week, that wait list for state parking has 6,853 workers on it. And because those spots are yours until you cancel it, some never get off that wait list. Michelle says she has been on for 7 years.

[00:02:15]For context, the state says the RTO mandate will affect some 108,000 workers. Meantime, Governor Newsom on Tuesday responded in length to the pushback over his mandate.

[00:02:25]>> Come back to work.

[00:02:26]Reengage.

[00:02:28]Rediscover.

[00:02:29]Collaborate. Coordinate.

[00:02:32]Develop relationships, friendships, fall in love. And all I'm asking for is you get 3-day weekends.

[00:02:39]You still do. You know, 4 years ago that would have been a triumph. Now it's some burden.

[00:02:45]So, respectfully, I have a different point of view.

[00:02:49]>> Jenny Huh, ABC 10.

[00:02:52]>> Well, Prop 39 will be on the ballot this November. If passed, it would require identification for people to vote. But some Republicans say the language on the ballot is misleading. Take a look. When it first qualified for the ballot, this was the language that was included saying it establishes additional voter identification and citizenship verification requirements. In California, the Attorney General is responsible for issuing the official title and summary for every proposed ballot measure. Prop 39's language was changed to say it prohibits citizens from voting unless they present government-issued identification.

[00:03:25]>> That's what they're leading with with this um false and misleading ballot title. And it's clear that they're trying to tamper with this election. It's shameful. And I I believe that voters will be upset when they see their ballot.

[00:03:38]>> A spokesperson for Attorney General Rob Bonta says all nine voter-proposed initiatives, including Prop 39, had changes. They say the AG's office used discretion to provide clarity to voters about Prop 39's purpose and points for the ballot. So, the common to the point with Alex Bell tonight at 6:30, what legal steps DeMaio is now considering.