In a major blow to organized labor, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed legislation today that would have let unions organize child-care providers who work out of the home.
"Today California, like the nation itself, is facing huge budget challenges," Brown wrote in a veto message. "Given that reality, I am reluctant to embark on a program of this magnitude and potential cost."
The veto was one of six announced today.
Brown also vetoed legislation that would have eliminated California's $4,650 vehicle asset limit for welfare eligibility.
"This bill would allow a person applying for welfare to have one car, or possibly more, of any value, rather than a maximum value of $4,650 under current law," Brown wrote. "In the last year, the state has been forced to make steep reductions in many programs, including the state's welfare-to-work program. As we go into the new year, we may have to make additional cuts. Until we better understand the fiscal outlook, we should not be making changes of this kind."
Brown vetoed legislation by Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, that would have allowed San Francisco to place on the ballot a measure to increase vehicle fees on local residents.
"Before we embark on a piecemeal approach for one city, we should try to fashion a broader revenue solution to our state's fiscal crisis," Brown wrote.
Brown signed legislation authorizing the Department of Parks & Recreation to enter into operating agreements with nonprofit organizations in cases in which such an agreement would prevent a park's closure.
Brown's veto comes after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, vetoed similar legislation three times. But labor unions who have long sought the right to organize California's more than 40,000 family child-care providers considered Brown, a Democrat, more likely to sign it.
Assembly Bill 101 was sponsored by the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees and the Service Employees International Union and amended at the legislative deadline to include language by Assembly Speaker John A. Perez and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg.
UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect additional bill actions Brown took today. Updated at 2:43 p.m., Oct. 4, 2011.
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