BILL NUMBER:  SB 549
  VETOED	DATE: 10/13/2007




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