Corporations turn to ballot to combat California's progressive agenda, raising alarms

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Twice in the last two weeks, major corporations have scored wins in their fights against progressive policies approved by Democrats at the California Capitol.

First, the Secretary of State announced that fast-food companies had collected enough signatures to force a referendum on a state law meant to boost wages for restaurant workers. Last week, oil companies' effort to overturn an environmental safety law that would ban new drilling projects near homes and schools similarly qualified for the ballot.

Both laws are now on hold until voters decide in November 2024 whether to uphold them.

That added to frustrations among California's labor unions, environmentalists and good government groups, who alleged corporations are abusing the direct democracy process and intentionally misleading voters who signed petitions calling for the referendums.

"This is about corporations not being able to win in the Legislature and trying to hoodwink voters into taking away the progress that Californians have made," said Tia