State workers fight Newsom’s return-to-office mandate

Gov. Gavin Newsom's mandate requiring state workers to return to the office four days a week faces opposition as a Senate committee advances a bill to strengthen telework standards. The bill, authored by Assemblymember Alex Lee, aims to allow agencies to set their own policies and requires justification for in-office work. State worker unions, excluding public safety groups, support the measure, arguing remote work saves costs and improves productivity.