tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1929836343183642192024-03-13T19:51:09.166-07:00Pam SpauldingRecovering political junkie, human (and pit bull) rights advocate, and Journey fan...so there.Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.comBlogger192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-37499801678818888152022-05-22T19:18:00.005-07:002022-05-22T19:36:41.158-07:00Worker's rights: Sasha Banks and Naomi dustup could result in challenge to WWE's contracts<p class="_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.25em; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p class="MsoNormal">I haven't posted in a good while, but a recent comment I
made on a <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/192983634318364219/3749980167881888815">YouTube
video</a> (hat tip, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/192983634318364219/3749980167881888815">JDfromNY206</a>) about
an interesting case involving long-standing misclassification of workers -- the
classic independent contractor vs employee situation, debated and legislated
long and hard here in California in recent years re: AB5 (<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/192983634318364219/3749980167881888815">see
my numerous posts about it here</a>; ironically on the side of certain indy contractors/freelancers, such as gigging musicians, not being forced to be classified as employees), made me take notice of the issue occurring
over in Stamford, CT, with World Wrestling Entertainment, a billion-dollar mega
company that is a fertile legal test case regarding its bizarre and craven,
controlling contracts of its professional wrestlers, er, Superstars, as WWE
prefers them to be called. They are athlete-performers that work year-round
acting and engaging in challenging physical, often dangerous feats for our
entertainment guided by scripted storylines. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What piqued my interest? Well I'm a lapsed wrestling fan
just recently reacquainting myself with the landscape, and these issues related
to the walkout of two main roster talents, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/192983634318364219/3749980167881888815">Mercedes
Vernado</a> (ring name <i>owned by WWE</i>, Sasha Banks) and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/192983634318364219/3749980167881888815">Trinity
Fatu</a> (ring name Naomi) are blowing up the Internet. I won't go into
detail as to why they walked off (there's plenty to read both on wrestling and
mainstream news sites with various perspectives), and what kind of punishment
WWE felt it needed to mete out.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Goodness knows I could write a year's worth of posts about
WWE's <i>non-traditional approach</i> to hiring and treatment of talent, but
quite honestly I've been waiting for the day SOMEONE on the roster with enough
clout and a good lawyer would challenge the unbelievable contracts these folks
sign as "independent contractors." One has to believe that the
company has gone out of its way to keep challenges quashed and the Department
of Labor out of its practices. But an investigation is long overdue. ANYHOO...</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is an expansion and condensation of my YouTube and
Reddit comments on the matter...<br /> </p><p class="MsoNormal">***</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sure, WWE can discipline Sasha and Naomi for walking out
during a show (<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/192983634318364219/3749980167881888815">WWE's
version of events here)</a>. They can choose to handle the situation as they
have -- <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/192983634318364219/3749980167881888815">suspension</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/192983634318364219/3749980167881888815">removal
of merch</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/192983634318364219/3749980167881888815">deleting
Facebook pages</a>, etc. BUT if they push any of their top talent too far, they
can take WWE to court and win on every WWE wrestler contract's state and
federal labor law violations -- and that can blow the roof off the industry as
a whole.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">WWE should be concerned about any challenge to the validity
of its contracts in relation to independent contractor status versus employee.
It doesn't matter whether wrestlers sign a WWE contract if they are not legally
worth the paper they are printed on. WWE has coasted on the fact that there has
not been sufficient competition in the industry, and thus wrestlers sign
contracts that wouldn't hold water. They violate laws in Connecticut (see
below) and other states regarding the definition of what an independent
contractor is.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These performers have no control over what they wear, when
they travel, how they travel, whether they can take independent bookings
outside of WWE, etc. that is the definition of an EMPLOYEE. Not to mention its
practice of releasing people under contract yet the same people cannot leave
the contract before it's terminated is open to question legally.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Only wrestlers with sufficient clout and money would be able
to ride out such a lawsuit, even if they are going to win it -- do Sasha and
Naomi have that clout or desire to change the industry to benefit themselves
and their peers? Most wrestlers have chosen not to rock the boat. To a degree,
All Elite Wrestling (AEW) does treat its wrestlers as independent contractors
because they can earn a living taking independent bookings, having their own
merch shops, and owning their own twitch accounts etc.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That is also giving wrestlers bargaining power when they
choose whether to leave WWE.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I'd like to see the Internet Wrestling Community (IWC)
discuss the issue from this perspective in a sane manner, devoid of tribalism.
It really is worthwhile because we are at a critical point where even actor and
former WWE writer Freddie Prinze, Jr is in the process of <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/192983634318364219/3749980167881888815">creating
his own wrestling promotion</a> where he will treat his wrestlers as
employees who will be members of the Screen Actors Guild as performers, a union
that provides the very benefits that WWE wrestlers do not have and cannot have
as long as the company considers them independent contractors.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">WWE tries to treat them like independent contractors when it
suits them, and treats them like employees when they want to control them. WWE
can't have it both ways. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why? The documentation is out there.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As I mentioned, Connecticut (the HQ location of WWE/Titan)
is one of 20 states that have adopted the ABC test for unemployment insurance
eligibility and/or wage and hour protections for employees. So it is relevant
if a company is classifying people as independent contractors when they may
actually be employees...</p>
<p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.25em; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">"To address the problem of misclassification, more than
20 states have adopted what is known as the ABC test for determining whether an
individual is an employee or an independent contractor for purposes of coverage
of certain workplace laws. The ABC test got its name from the three,
interlocking elements of the test—parts (A), (B), and (C). It establishes a
presumption that an individual performing services for an employer is an
employee, not an independent contractor, unless the employer can establish
three factors:</p><p class="MsoNormal">(A) The work is done without the direction and control
of the employer.</p><p class="MsoNormal">(B) The work is performed outside the usual course of
the employer’s business.</p><p class="MsoNormal">(C) The work is done by someone who has their own,
independent business or trade doing that kind of work."</p><p></p><p class="_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.25em; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Source: Misclassification, the ABC test, and employee status
- <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/192983634318364219/3749980167881888815">https://tinyurl.com/yzu82aea</a></i></p><p></p></blockquote><p class="_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.25em; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal">So, according to Connecticut state law, the WWE is clearly
misclassifying the wrestlers that work for them. Factor (A) is the more
egregious of the three. The wrestlers are misclassified just on that clause
alone. Nearly every aspect of their work is controlled by the WWE. What they
wear, how they travel, where they have to be, and the company determines their
hours of work. How are they NOT employees?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The implications are huge re: burden on the employer and tax
withholding, unemployment benefits, workman's comp, etc.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So yes, the WWE does not want its contracts being challenged
in court on that basis.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The E has benefited from these contracts up until a few
years ago because they were the only real game in town -- if wrestlers wanted
to work and earn a decent living in the industry. WWE tries to eliminate
competing, ascendant promotions not just in the name of market
"competition," it is to protect its contract practices by squashing
any competition challenging that norm.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The IWC should be behind the talent's ability to negotiate
fair employment for their services that entertain us, rather than fealty to any
promotion for tribal reasoning.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">AEW, for example, may pay less, but its talent has the
ability to earn more income through independent bookings and side gigs that WWE
disallows or takes a cut out of. It and all promotions would be affected by
changes wrought by legal scrutiny of WWE's contracts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I also want to note that these issues are wholly separate
from the matter of unionization, which seems to get conflated with the issue
for some reason. I doubt the wrestlers themselves would agree to unionize any
time soon, though a sale of the company could change that (see at the end).
Addressing the question of whether WWE is violating existing labor law
practices in its contracts would more profoundly, positively impact talent if
challenged.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The benefits and other collateral issues would likely
resolve themselves if the WWE would simply offer legal, truly independent
contractor status contracts to talent -- or hire them as employees. but it
won't do so willingly.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Will Sasha or Naomi challenge the E on this matter? Hard to say.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">BTW, if WWE is ever sold, the employee/independent
contractor status will be a HUGE issue for the buyer -- it surely will have to
comply with state and federal law if that transaction is to go through,
and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/192983634318364219/3749980167881888815">WWE,
particularly CEO Nick Khan</a>, who is from the entertainment industry, knows
this. For instance, Disney, based in CA, has to comply with state law AB5 --
that specifically defines what an independent contractor and employee are (<i>Source:
California's Historic AB5 Gig-Worker Law <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/192983634318364219/3749980167881888815">https://tinyurl.com/y35zzc6x</a>).</i>
It will surely have to clean up all active "independent contractor"
contracts WWE holds.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What I don't understand is the tribalism of WWE fans. You
can enjoy the company's past/present content and still understand how the
company has continually strong-armed the talent by attempting to crush its
competition to ensure it is a monopoly. If there is no competition, that means
wrestlers have zero negotiating power for decent benefits or contract terms.
Even worse, its clout has allowed it to repeatedly skirt labor laws --
how is that beneficial to the wrestlers people are supposed to be fans of? I
find it strange.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">WWE fans should be happy that there is an AEW (or Impact,
NJPW, etc.), and hope for additional independents to thrive -- it means more
wrestling of different types to enjoy, and more places of employment for the
talent to earn a living. It also forces promotions to put out a better product
to woo its audiences. It's a win-win for everyone.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-87913949571992684202020-03-31T20:24:00.000-07:002020-03-31T20:50:04.142-07:00Mask DIY! CDC rethinks use of masks - may be helpful to curtail COVID-19 exposureThe Center for Disease Control is rethinking its policy of telling Americans NOT to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/31/health/cdc-masks-coronavirus.html?fbclid=IwAR3sG0ecwZQ9m45ebXWmLFiapIa4j_m1Um--rWJ55aNJgLjKmxWV9yVAovg" target="_blank">NYT</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the C.D.C., confirmed in an interview with WABE in Atlanta, a National Public Radio member station, on Monday that the agency was reviewing its guidelines on who should wear masks. Citing new data that shows high rates of transmission from people who are infected but show no symptoms, he said the guidance on mask wearing was “being critically re-reviewed, to see if there’s potential additional value for individuals that are infected or individuals that may be asymptomatically infected.” </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The coronavirus is probably three times as infectious as the flu, Dr. Redfield said. Some people are infected and transmitting the virus probably as long as two days before showing any symptoms, he said.<br />
<br />
...Dr. Fauci said: “The idea of getting a much more broad communitywide use of masks outside of the health care setting is under very active discussion at the task force. The C.D.C. group is looking at that very carefully.”</blockquote>
And the change is for good reason - the novel virus is staying in the air longer than epidemiologists thought:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
There have been troubling reports that indicate <b>the coronavirus may be able to travel farther in the air and stay in the environment longer than is possible by respiratory droplets</b>, which have so far been assumed to be the primary mode of transmission of the virus. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
One study in Singapore found traces of the virus in air vents in patient isolation rooms. In another study, researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center detected extensive contamination in patient rooms as well as in air samples collected from the hallways outside rooms.</blockquote>
<br />
SO WHAT NOW? Given the shortage of surgical and N95 masks (those need to go to first responders and med folks), I found a great DIY solution below is better than a plain bandana (something the <a href="https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/welcome-ad?toURL=/clinical-care/bandanas-can-substitute-coronavirus-masks-last-resort-says-cdc" target="_blank">CDC advised</a> not long ago, incredibly, to med personnel when PPE is not available).<br />
<hr />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: red;">DIY Face Mask (</span><b><a href="https://youtu.be/fMA7a6xO3G0" target="_blank">Video</a></b>)</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6wM1gCPA8_g/XoQBGj6_KRI/AAAAAAABvFI/k1Gx6IguJOYo9bOa0qL8MDPBESiDOuxXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DIYmaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="498" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6wM1gCPA8_g/XoQBGj6_KRI/AAAAAAABvFI/k1Gx6IguJOYo9bOa0qL8MDPBESiDOuxXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DIYmaks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Again, this is <b><span style="color: red;">NOT</span></b> a substitute for a sterile, medical grade mask (not that you can find any), or can serve as a fail-safe from contracting COVID-19. But it is disposable, fits well, and reminds you not to touch your face. Caveat - if you need to adjust your mask constantly, you're better off not using a mask rather than touching your eyes, nose or mouth! Now on to making the mask...<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Supplies, all from $1 store, and makes a lot of masks!</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- Coffee filters</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- Roll of paper towels </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- Bag of rubber bands</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- Roll of wax paper or parchment paper. (The wax paper/parchment paper adds a modest moisture barrier, a big plus over just fabric.)<br />
<br />
<u>Instructions</u></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1. Take large sheet of paper towel. Fold in half. Reopen.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Take 2-3 coffee filters and place on top half of open towel.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Cut a rectangular piece of wax or parchment paper and line the filter.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Fold the towel with the filter between the two sides.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Begin accordion-folding the towel as shown in the video.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. Fasten the ends with rubber bands.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">7. Insert and loop another rubber band at each end to go around your ears.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">8. <b>Done!</b> Here are <a href="https://www.sfcdcp.org/communicable-disease/healthy-habits/how-to-put-on-and-remove-a-face-mask/?fbclid=IwAR3vmg4kSa1K6wi6Qpx_mGKEBGl8C1qfPTHs1HvjtJTHTCtGcArMlTjipIc" target="_blank">instructions on proper fit and use</a> from the SF Dept. of Public Health</span>.<br />
<br />
Since the materials are so inexpensive and widely available, there is no need to sterilize, just toss and make (many) more. I guess the rubber bands can always be re-used by sterilizing them with Lysol or simply letting them sit for a few days.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
It should be noted that in Asian countries, mask-wearing is commonplace (and mandated in many cases) and community spread in those nations (e.g. South Korea). As you can see it is WAY less than the horrible curve the U.S. has (<a href="https://www.ft.com/coronavirus-latest" target="_blank">graphic</a>).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.ft.com/coronavirus-latest" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="960" height="233" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtCGVfqoHJo/XoP_eLT9xkI/AAAAAAABvE8/kgTewQe8mO0HExKocmPoWvxShYUo26JQACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/91045512_10158509223478092_8488684040826650624_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Let's slow community spread by 1) Staying home, and 2) using masks, gloves, sanitizer, and sanitizing spray. It all helps. We are in this together!Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-5706016139918916692020-02-19T13:15:00.001-08:002020-02-19T14:08:50.786-08:00AB5 - Democrats in the CA Assembly, Senate and Governor's Mansion - What Were You Thinking?<div class="tr_bq">
[NOTE: A repeal bill by Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, AB1928, <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinKileyCA/status/1229895646145998848?s=20&fbclid=IwAR0IAtojbDH9gePZFQ3Wiindg1Ie2Cl8BragJbOlxEVbDVDZJUtSEB9MTLQ" target="_blank">will hit the floor for debate on February 27</a>. If passed and signed by Governor Newsom, it would immediately suspend the law. It faces stiff uphill opposition by the supermajority, but has wide support at the grassroots.]<br />
<br />
A <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/FreelancersAgainstAB5/permalink/489846051723296/" target="_blank">post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sara.k.pedri?fref=gs&dti=427658601275375&hc_location=group_dialog" target="_blank">Sara Kustiner Pedri</a>, in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/FreelancersAgainstAB5" target="_blank">Freelancers Against AB5</a> group by a CPA, illustrates the horror and folly of what has occurred in California with the introduction of AB5. Can't summarize it better than she has. And yes, I am a life-long Democrat. It's unfortunate when "your team" does something terribly autocratic, inflexible, and destructive to the economic engine of independent contractors (of any political stripe), but wrong is wrong, as Markos of Daily Kos <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/1/17/1912158/-Democrats-across-the-country-seek-to-make-California-s-mistake-destroying-careers-of-freelancers" target="_blank">also aptly noted</a>. This is a nonpartisan issue. Repeal AB5.</div>
<br />
<blockquote>
AN OPEN LETTER TO DEMOCRATS IN THE CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY, SENATE AND GOVERNOR'S MANSION: WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?<br />
Congratulations, California Democrats! You’ve successfully scared the holy bejeezus out of all California companies. Now, let’s talk. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
In Marvel Universe terms, you’re Tony Stark. You tried to do something to protect everyone, but you created Ultron. Now, it’s time for a Vision. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
It’s been 6 weeks since AB5 was signed and put into effect. We’ve now had 6 weeks to see some actual results. So, as a CPA with clients in the Independent Contractor world, and as a lifelong Democrat whose Assemblyperson and Governor actually voted for this shitshow that is AB5, I need to ask: What were you thinking? </blockquote>
<blockquote>
After reading the actual law, listening to interviews, and taking numerous courses on AB5, I simply don’t know what the thought process was behind AB5. What was the goal? Because, if it was to “protect California workers”, you’ve done an abysmal job of that. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
And if the ultimate nefarious goal was to have everyone join a union, then I have to ask: who was the genius who 1) didn’t consider that the result of AB5 would include dog walkers needing a union, and 2) then thought, “Hey, we need to make an exemption for dog walkers now!” Seriously. There is a line item in a California Labor Law that specifically states “dog walkers”? Ok, which one of you legislators has dogs that need walking? Because that’s like Internal Revenue Code laws that take effect on some arbitrary date like May 23, 1976, because some politician or lobbyist somewhere did something on May 22. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
For the most part, the laws were already on the books before AB5. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
a) Some companies were misclassifying workers. True. But the Borello Test was on the books. Catch them; don’t punish everyone for their misdeeds. You’ve increased the EDD funding budget for audits now – you could have done that before. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
b) California has had a law for years that states that companies must cover independent contractors with Workers’ Comp Insurance. Sorry, Senator Warren – I love you, but you’ve got that one wrong. It’s right there on the back of my State Comp Insurance Fund report. Of course, these W/C insurance companies may not have been paying out CLAIMS to independent contractors, but you realize that you should be going after the W/C insurance companies who took premiums but didn’t pay out, right? </blockquote>
<blockquote>
c) If you think these workers will now be covered by health insurance, you’re nuts. These ICs can work 50-100 different gigs in a good year. Did you really think they were going to change their health insurance coverage every time they picked up a new gig? I’ve got news for you. Switching health insurance when going from one long-term employment job to another long-term employment job is hard enough – COBRA, anyone? Employer-provided health insurance is NOT going to happen under AB5. Period. End of discussion. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
d) Minimum wage protection? You must be joking. Some of the professionals caught up in this make $300-1,500 a day. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
The laws were there. You just needed to enforce them. Instead, you took a single legal case, Dynamex (where one single company decided to break the rules and throw all their employees to IC status), and you brought the hammer down. On everyone. You have decided to ruin the livelihoods of 1-2 million true California independent contractors because someone somewhere screwed up on, what, 1,000 classifications? That’s some serious overreaction and, might I add, a rather large amount of California citizens to consider acceptable collateral damage. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Let’s now talk about the known, proven effects so far. And, yes, they significantly disagree with Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez’s reporting. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
I myself, being naïve, was anticipating that my clients would now be receiving W-2s instead of 1099s, which is a huge problem in itself. AB5 has caused so much fear that hiring companies are now refusing to accept a W-9 with the legal name and tax ID of a legitimate LLC / partnership / S-corp / C-corp and are forcing these freelancers to provide a W-4 and go on payroll, even though they fulfill the exemption of Business-to-Business Contractors and the Borello test. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
You see, hiring companies aren’t going to the trouble of figuring out who is who. Everyone has become an employee – even legitimate businesses. These freelancers have operated as true businesses for years with business licenses, workers’ comp insurance for their own subcontractors (if any) as required by law, filing of 1096 and 1099s and DE-542s, paying unsecured business property taxes, etc. They also make large tax-deductible investments in their own equipment, tools, and work spaces. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Forced to be employees, they now will receive W-2 income rather than Form 1099 income, and they will have no ability to deduct their business expenses related to any W-2 income. If they are Schedule C single-member disregarded entities, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 removed their ability to deduct unreimbursed employee business expenses on Schedule A. As such, their Schedule Cs will begin to run net losses, winding up with seeming Hobby Losses which are disallowed by the IRS and FTB. I can assure you these aren’t hobbies; they are livelihoods. If they are partnerships or S-corps, there will no longer be any Form 1065 or 1120S income, but their tax returns will continue to deduct business expenses, creating ongoing losses. Do you know how many years a Form 1065 or 1120S can issue K-1s with ordinary businesses losses before the IRS starts asking questions? Asking for a friend. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
By the way, with these losses you’ve created, you’ve just removed the TCJA Federal income tax benefit of the Qualified Business Income Deduction, because without net business income, there’s no deduction. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
In other words, AB5 will put these professionals out of business and they will close their LLCs, partnerships, and corporations. And it won’t be because of the expense of payroll taxes. It will be because they can no longer operate the businesses they previously legally established due to not receiving payment/income in the form necessary for proper tax reporting purposes. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
It has turned their income tax and business worlds upside down. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
But I was naïve. AB5 has resulted in far worse than that. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Instead of switching ICs to employees, many hiring companies have simply cancelled contracts. Period. Done. Work gone. Needless to say, that sound you heard was 1 million independent contractors finding out they no longer have a source of income. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
And who’s getting these jobs? OUT-OF-STATE employees, because, lo and behold, your little AB5 states that California companies who hire out-of-state ICs aren’t affected by AB5. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
So, you’ve successfully 1) forced ICs to move out of state for work, and 2) allowed CA companies to hire out-of-state workers. Brilliant! You just took an entire demographic of mostly Democratic voters and MOVED them out of California! Tell me, who exactly are your political advisors? Because I want to make sure I do NOT hire them. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
And, lastly, as a CPA, you’ve tied my hands. I can’t even assist my clients in attempting to make a proper determination, because I am “jointly and severally” liable for any penalties ($5,000-$15,000 fine PER individual misclassification). Only a member of the bar can advise a business owner about classifying workers as employees or ICs. Guess what? Attorneys are booked up three months out. I guess that benefits you the most, as it’s difficult to find an available attorney to write up a class-action lawsuit against you. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
In summary, let me say that I hate… HATE… giving the GOP any talking points. But, California Democrats, you have brought this on yourselves. Now, fix it!</blockquote>
<hr />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Good reads... </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li><i><a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2020/01/ab5-battles-why-pit-worker-against.html" target="_blank"><b>See Big Labor, the AFL-CIO, use a sockpuppet Twitter account to front for pro-AB5 "gig workers"</b></a></i></li>
<li><i><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2020/01/californias-ab5-wreaking-havoc-for.html" target="_blank">California's AB5 - wreaking havoc for independent contractors</a></u></span></i> </li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2019/12/AB5.html" target="_blank">Independent contractors both helped and hurt by CA's AB5</a> (Pam)</i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.nfib.com/content/legal-compliance/labor/understanding-ab-5-californias-new-independent-contracting-rules/" target="_blank">AB 5 - CA’s New Independent Contracting Rules</a> (exemptions)</i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.epi.org/publication/how-californias-ab5-protects-workers-from-misclassification/?fbclid=IwAR234A0_koKrGZ1OzIp1HO7bZOza8IIk_jpDPpOkmmdM9IJrSIpIPEWDfMc" target="_blank">Why misclassification is a problem</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.damemagazine.com/2019/10/22/will-this-california-law-end-freelance-work/" target="_blank">Will This California Law End Freelance Work?</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://nathansgibson.org/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-ab-5-business-to-business-exemption/?fbclid=IwAR0EV-FkCeAVZQIj9lrQeoKthFQKXsgoijNYq0SRuPaCSxFOg7AUaMIuAzg" target="_blank">What You Need to Know About the AB 5 “Business-to-Business” Exemption</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/how-a-new-law-will-change-california-show-biz-69760/?fbclid=IwAR3xB2a9lX3WHP_U1OTxX2DDlJtW5KyQD8nx30RQ9W4VCN3iP93OIYjeSKY" target="_blank">How a New Law Will Change California Show Biz</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-12-17/vox-media-cuts-hundreds-freelancers-ab5" target="_blank">Vox Media cuts hundreds of freelance journalists as AB 5 changes loom</a></i> </li>
<li><i><a href="https://youtu.be/y6JoSXU3Mk0" target="_blank">Pam on Michelangelo Signorile Show re: AB5</a></i> (Dec 30). </li>
<li><i><u><a href="https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/faq_independentcontractor.htm" target="_blank">What is independent contractor versus employee (State of CA FAQ)</a></u></i></li>
<li><a href="https://www.edd.ca.gov/pdf_pub_ctr/de38.pdf" target="_blank">Employment Determination Worksheet</a> <i>(State of CA PDF checklist test)</i></li>
<li><i>How to find your lawmaker to write/call: </i><a href="http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/">http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov</a></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-61739714261800259742020-01-28T22:33:00.000-08:002020-02-17T20:09:07.475-08:00Fantastic day of action in Sacramento at the Rally to Repeal AB 5<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6IIguYr9ivY/XjEku3OHOVI/AAAAAAABsH8/pb9wlug-w0EpO3IJaB4fVFjM3Ye0Hu7vgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ABcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1200" height="205" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6IIguYr9ivY/XjEku3OHOVI/AAAAAAABsH8/pb9wlug-w0EpO3IJaB4fVFjM3Ye0Hu7vgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/ABcollage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It was a fantastic day of action in Sacramento at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2577638375849505/" target="_blank">Rally to Repeal AB 5</a>, hosted by <a href="http://facebook.com/assemblymankiley" target="_blank">Assemblyman Kevin Kiley</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MelissaMelendezCA" target="_blank">Melissa Melendez</a>. My bud and <a href="http://faithfullylive.com/" target="_blank">Faithfully Live</a> colleague <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JeffSalado" target="_blank">Jeff Salado</a> were there to hear the compelling speakers at the event -- chronicling many groups of indy contractor professional careers -- including musicians -- devastated by the new law here in CA. <a href="https://tinyurl.com/qrwa5oq">https://tinyurl.com/qrwa5oq</a><br />
<br />
It was important for us to make the drive to Sac not only because of the rally, but to tag team and meet with our lawmakers -- Assemblymembers and State Senators -- to express our thoughts and stories about AB5's impact on musicians (and writers, like myself). When it comes to constituent lobbying, it's just as powerful to meet with the chiefs of staff of the lawmakers, who are incredibly knowledgeable and have their ears to the ground on pending legislation, and they are often more accessible. We met with and delivered detailed formal letters about AB5 from a personal perspective to:<br />
<br />
* State Sen. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/anna.caballero.9" target="_blank">Anna Caballero</a> (D-12) and her Chief of Staff Aracely Campa - YES on AB5;<br />
* Chief of Staff for State Sen. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cathleen.galgiani" target="_blank">Cathleen Galgiani</a> (D-05), Bob Alvarez - YES on AB5;<br />
* Chief of Staff for Assemblyman <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HeathFloraCA/" target="_blank">Heath Flora</a> (R-12) - NO on AB5;<br />
* Staffer for Assemblyman <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AdamGrayAD21/" target="_blank">Adam Gray</a> (D-21) - NO on AB5.<br />
<br />
The conversations were illuminating, particularly with those who initially voted YES on AB5 -- and how ALL want major changes given the colossal, career-threatening problems it has created for independent contractors professionals. I'll probably do a writeup on my blog or for Freelancers Against AB5. One of the members of the group, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pkalivas1" target="_blank">Peter Kalivas</a>, spoke at the event: <a href="https://youtu.be/KXi8mJYD9IM">https://youtu.be/KXi8mJYD9IM</a><br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="275" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KXi8mJYD9IM" width="425"></iframe><br />
<br />
All have heard from many, many constituents about repealing or amending AB5 so keep it up with the personal stories (<b><span style="color: blue;">NOTE TO MUSICIANS</span></b> in District 5 -- Sen. Galgiani's rep had NOT heard from music professionals before Jeff and I walked through the door today).<br />
<br />
There are quite a few bills submitted that will be evaluated by the end of February -- including repeal, additional exemptions, and a small business exemption -- those and a number of others will be in the mix. We plan to do follow-up meetings with the lawmakers as bills move forward to get a clear sense of their positions on the options to deal with AB5.<br />
<br />
All the conversations were polite and engaging, and they welcome you to contact and meet with them, either in their Sac or local offices. They really do appreciate constituents who take the time to do their homework on the issues. They need your input to stop this insanity.<br />
<br />
How to find your lawmaker to write/call/visit with: <a href="http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/">http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov</a><br />
<br />
NOTE: Contractor John Vogel (<a href="https://twitter.com/Vogel4Assembly">https://twitter.com/Vogel4Assembly</a>) is running against AB5's sponsor, Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-80), and promises to fight to repeal AB5.<br />
<br />
Learn more at my pad: <a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/">http://www.pamspaulding.net/</a><br />
<br />
<hr /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Good reads... </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li><i><a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2020/01/ab5-battles-why-pit-worker-against.html" target="_blank"><b>See Big Labor, the AFL-CIO, use a sockpuppet Twitter account to front for pro-AB5 "gig workers"</b></a></i></li>
<li><i><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2020/01/californias-ab5-wreaking-havoc-for.html" target="_blank">California's AB5 - wreaking havoc for independent contractors</a></u></span></i> </li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2019/12/AB5.html" target="_blank">Independent contractors both helped and hurt by CA's AB5</a> (Pam)</i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.nfib.com/content/legal-compliance/labor/understanding-ab-5-californias-new-independent-contracting-rules/" target="_blank">AB 5 - CA’s New Independent Contracting Rules</a> (exemptions)</i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.epi.org/publication/how-californias-ab5-protects-workers-from-misclassification/?fbclid=IwAR234A0_koKrGZ1OzIp1HO7bZOza8IIk_jpDPpOkmmdM9IJrSIpIPEWDfMc" target="_blank">Why misclassification is a problem</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.damemagazine.com/2019/10/22/will-this-california-law-end-freelance-work/" target="_blank">Will This California Law End Freelance Work?</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://nathansgibson.org/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-ab-5-business-to-business-exemption/?fbclid=IwAR0EV-FkCeAVZQIj9lrQeoKthFQKXsgoijNYq0SRuPaCSxFOg7AUaMIuAzg" target="_blank">What You Need to Know About the AB 5 “Business-to-Business” Exemption</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/how-a-new-law-will-change-california-show-biz-69760/?fbclid=IwAR3xB2a9lX3WHP_U1OTxX2DDlJtW5KyQD8nx30RQ9W4VCN3iP93OIYjeSKY" target="_blank">How a New Law Will Change California Show Biz</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-12-17/vox-media-cuts-hundreds-freelancers-ab5" target="_blank">Vox Media cuts hundreds of freelance journalists as AB 5 changes loom</a></i> </li>
<li><i><a href="https://youtu.be/y6JoSXU3Mk0" target="_blank">Pam on Michelangelo Signorile Show re: AB5</a></i> (Dec 30). </li>
<li><i><u><a href="https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/faq_independentcontractor.htm" target="_blank">What is independent contractor versus employee (State of CA FAQ)</a></u></i></li>
<li><a href="https://www.edd.ca.gov/pdf_pub_ctr/de38.pdf" target="_blank">Employment Determination Worksheet</a> <i>(State of CA PDF checklist test)</i></li>
<li><i>How to find your lawmaker to write/call: </i><a href="http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/">http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov</a></li>
</ul></blockquote>Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-142120390054609052020-01-26T16:29:00.000-08:002020-01-26T23:47:12.325-08:00AB5: See the stories of independent contractor lives shattered by the CA lawThe harm of AB5 on independent contractors is not an abstraction or a political football. One of the largest grassroots Facebook groups where discussion about the impact of the law is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/FreelancersAgainstAB5/" target="_blank">Freelancers Against AB5</a> -- a clearinghouse of education, information, and strategy for citizen activism of the self-employed harmed by the law. Moderator <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001097290475" target="_blank">Karen Anderson</a> took it upon herself to gather these emotion-filled stories of shattered careers - now up to 113 professions -- adversely affected by the law and place them into an accessible database: <a href="https://rolls.bublup.com/Anderson/AB5-Personal-Stories">https://rolls.bublup.com/Anderson/AB5-Personal-Stories</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hello Members. Here is our archives of personal stories documenting the negative impacts of AB5 categorized by profession. This is a continuing work in progress that I can add to or edit at anytime, so keep your stories coming! There are 113 categories of professions thus far that comprise hundreds of stories from our members. (Photographers, I need your stories.) Please share on social media and be sure to send this link to your representatives in the state legislature on Facebook, Twitter and email.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://rolls.bublup.com/Anderson/AB5-Personal-Stories" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://rolls.bublup.com/Anderson/AB5-Personal-Stories" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="630" height="184" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7fytwPg33nQ/Xi4oQ1gnZCI/AAAAAAABsFY/hB_AQOzZvnATXRZdSguo_xQ1EOk2VQ39gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/stories.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</blockquote>
AB5 harms hundreds of thousands of independent contractors that rely on freedom to determine their rates of pay, when and how they work. When AB5 was debated, select professions were invited to petition, er, beg for exemptions, while others with the same functional business needs were not. That in itself is discriminatory. Now we see independent contractors’ careers halted in their tracks. Notably, even clients of professions exempted from the law are bailing, canceling contracts because of the legal uncertainty and potential liabilities.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201120120SB459&fbclid=IwAR1aQU6GIZqboTD2oIfwz2SXcYSvzzp55R0qFt_uc71v4aHCa9phzSoC4M4" target="_blank">SB459</a> has been on the books since 2012 and it already <a href="https://tinyurl.com/r9u7rzo" target="_blank">addresses misclassification</a> in fields where it is rampantly abusive. I do not understand why AB5 was necessary to implement in such a damaging way to so many segments of the economy. AB5 at the very least should be amended to include an exemption for performing artists and no limited number of articles for writers or exemption for small business; however, in the larger scheme of things, I have come to believe only full repeal is a solution. We cannot be patient for months for a fix or to find a way to “adjust” when all of these taxpayers all have bills and must keep a roof over their heads.<br />
<br />
NOTE: There is a rally and citizen lobby day at the Capitol in Sacramento on Tuesday, January 28 at 10 AM, sponsored by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/assemblymankiley" target="_blank">Assemblyman Kevin Kiley</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MelissaMelendezCA" target="_blank">Melissa Melendez</a>, both Republicans, btw, though this is not a partisan issue. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2577638375849505/">https://www.facebook.com/events/2577638375849505/</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mS_rP8wFdXU/Xi4rVoOURLI/AAAAAAABsFk/mNbRBpnxOqwqD_jBk-m9s6RPukVqenDawCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/82109240_2917924561592937_7047662946117222400_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mS_rP8wFdXU/Xi4rVoOURLI/AAAAAAABsFk/mNbRBpnxOqwqD_jBk-m9s6RPukVqenDawCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/82109240_2917924561592937_7047662946117222400_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Since shuttering my national progressive political blog, Pam's House Blend, back in 2013, AB5 is the first topic to re-activate me because it runs at the foundation of what I have done as a working professional -- I've been a small business owner, an employee of a large company, and a freelance reporter and project manager as an independent contractor. I’m a Democrat from North Carolina that moved to CA in 2017. Little did I realize that too many lawmakers here have taken leave of their senses, only proving a supermajority of either party can result in bad lawmaking and a heavy hand. The Democrats at the state and national level need to understand this is no way to handle labor in an economy so diverse and evolving in its make up. A sledgehammer approach is not healthy or resembles anything remotely like common sense.<br />
<br />
As my blogosphere colleague Markos Moulitsas at Daily Kos (no Red State or Town Hall, btw) made clear in his post, "<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/1/17/1912158/-Democrats-across-the-country-seek-to-make-California-s-mistake-destroying-careers-of-freelancers" target="_blank">Democrats across the country seek to make California's mistake, destroying careers of freelancers</a>," legislation impacting people’s ability to live should never be made in an arbitrary manner as AB5 was, and current DNC Chair Tom Perez, when he was Barack Obama’s labor secretary, aggressively fined bad actors under existing fed law.<br />
<br />
**<br />
<br />
How to find your lawmaker to write/call: <a href="http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/">http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov</a><br />
<br />
How they voted (and see how much money they received from Big Labor):<br />
Sen Vote: <a href="https://legiscan.com/CA/rollcall/AB5/id/890316">https://legiscan.com/CA/rollcall/AB5/id/890316</a><br />
Assm Vote: <a href="https://legiscan.com/CA/rollcall/AB5/id/890318">https://legiscan.com/CA/rollcall/AB5/id/890318</a><br />
<br />
Just a reminder, folks. There is a federal labor bill that underscores the very ABC test that is decimating independent contractors here at the state level with AB5. It's <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2474/text" target="_blank">H.R. 2474</a>, and take a look and see who is co-sponsoring this bill.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2474/text" target="_blank">https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2474/text </a><br />
<br />
Side note: Today I received a campaign call for my <a href="https://costa.house.gov/" target="_blank">Congressman, Jim Costa</a>, and said that I would not support his re-election if he supported HR 2474 as it stands affecting independent contractors. The polite caller took my information because at this juncture, he's not a co-sponsor.<br />
So be ready to make your case now that the campaign calls are heating up.<br />
<br />
How to find your lawmaker in DC to write/call about this legislation: <a href="https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members">https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<hr />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Good reads... </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li><i><a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2020/01/ab5-battles-why-pit-worker-against.html" target="_blank"><b>See Big Labor, the AFL-CIO, use a sockpuppet Twitter account to front for pro-AB5 "gig workers"</b></a></i><br />
</li>
<li><i><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2020/01/californias-ab5-wreaking-havoc-for.html" target="_blank">California's AB5 - wreaking havoc for independent contractors</a></u></span></i> </li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2019/12/AB5.html" target="_blank">Independent contractors both helped and hurt by CA's AB5</a> (Pam)</i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.nfib.com/content/legal-compliance/labor/understanding-ab-5-californias-new-independent-contracting-rules/" target="_blank">AB 5 - CA’s New Independent Contracting Rules</a> (exemptions)</i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.epi.org/publication/how-californias-ab5-protects-workers-from-misclassification/?fbclid=IwAR234A0_koKrGZ1OzIp1HO7bZOza8IIk_jpDPpOkmmdM9IJrSIpIPEWDfMc" target="_blank">Why misclassification is a problem</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.damemagazine.com/2019/10/22/will-this-california-law-end-freelance-work/" target="_blank">Will This California Law End Freelance Work?</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://nathansgibson.org/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-ab-5-business-to-business-exemption/?fbclid=IwAR0EV-FkCeAVZQIj9lrQeoKthFQKXsgoijNYq0SRuPaCSxFOg7AUaMIuAzg" target="_blank">What You Need to Know About the AB 5 “Business-to-Business” Exemption</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/how-a-new-law-will-change-california-show-biz-69760/?fbclid=IwAR3xB2a9lX3WHP_U1OTxX2DDlJtW5KyQD8nx30RQ9W4VCN3iP93OIYjeSKY" target="_blank">How a New Law Will Change California Show Biz</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-12-17/vox-media-cuts-hundreds-freelancers-ab5" target="_blank">Vox Media cuts hundreds of freelance journalists as AB 5 changes loom</a></i> </li>
<li><i><a href="https://youtu.be/y6JoSXU3Mk0" target="_blank">Pam on Michelangelo Signorile Show re: AB5</a></i> (Dec 30). </li>
<li><i><u><a href="https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/faq_independentcontractor.htm" target="_blank">What is independent contractor versus employee (State of CA FAQ)</a></u></i></li>
<li><a href="https://www.edd.ca.gov/pdf_pub_ctr/de38.pdf" target="_blank">Employment Determination Worksheet</a> <i>(State of CA PDF checklist test)</i></li>
<li><i>How to find your lawmaker to write/call: </i><a href="http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/">http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov</a></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-28968726060598816822020-01-18T14:11:00.002-08:002020-01-18T14:11:32.685-08:00Fighting #AB5 - it may eventually lose in court, but how many careers will be destroyed in the interim?<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehZhkq15oF4/Xg-6_br6peI/AAAAAAABrp8/T4iMRNsqe789RjxrmwjP8DtOXugLY8G_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Pamspring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehZhkq15oF4/Xg-6_br6peI/AAAAAAABrp8/T4iMRNsqe789RjxrmwjP8DtOXugLY8G_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Pamspring.jpg" width="160" /></a><br />
<div class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB5" target="_blank">AB5,</a> the new law now in place here in California as of January 1, ostensibly passed to "protect" workers exploited by companies misclassifying them as independent contractors, has wreaked so much havoc that careers are being decimated -- contracts lost, potential gigs eliminated -- all because of a lack of understanding by lawmakers in support of it about the wide spectrum of the ways the "gig economy" works. </div>
<br />
The one thing it is NOT is a partisan issue, though defenders of AB5 try to paint hard working professionals in opposition to AB5 as some sort of right-wing nutter base trying to flip the state Red. People and businesses across <i>every demographic</i> are hurt by a law passed by, yes, Democrats, but it's harming what is a natural target voter base as well. Markos Moulitsas at Daily Kos, no Red State or Town Hall, btw, made clear in his post, "<a href="http://c/" target="_blank">Democrats across the country seek to make California's mistake, destroying careers of freelancers</a>," that this now-national issue (see <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2474/text" target="_blank">House Bill 2474</a>) is an albatross around the necks of this state government and other states proposing AB5-clone bills.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c3736; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.125px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
Note that <a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2020/01/ab5-battles-why-pit-worker-against.html" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(153, 107, 61) !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">existing state law in California</a>, and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/independent-contractor-self-employed-or-employee" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(153, 107, 61) !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">federal law</a>, already punishes misclassification of employees as freelancers, when they should be employees. None other than DNC Chair Tom Perez, when he was Barack Obama’s labor secretary, aggressively fined bad actors. Meanwhile, Democrats across the country now are <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/01/17/gig-economy-bills-move-forward-other-blue-states-after-california-clears-way/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(153, 107, 61) !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="">playing copycat to a law</a> that its very own author, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzales, admits was arbitrary. <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/everybody-is-freaking-freelance-writers-scramble-make-sense-new-california-law-1248195" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(153, 107, 61) !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Literally</a>. <span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">"Was it a little arbitrary?” <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/everybody-is-freaking-freelance-writers-scramble-make-sense-new-california-law-1248195" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(153, 107, 61) !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="">said</a> Assemblywoman Gonzalez. “Yeah. Writing bills with numbers like that are a little bit arbitrary.” </span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span>Legislation impacting people’s ability to live should never be <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">arbitrary</em>. </blockquote>
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One of the largest grassroots Facebook groups where discussion about the impact of the law is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/FreelancersAgainstAB5/" target="_blank">Freelancers Against AB5</a>. It serves as a clearinghouse of education, information, and strategy for citizen activism of the self-employed harmed by the law. One member, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pkalivas1" target="_blank">Peter Kalivas</a>, has spent a good time digging and researching how this misguided law will not stand legal muster and muses aloud why this bill exists at all. From <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/FreelancersAgainstAB5/permalink/473998646641370/" target="_blank">his post</a> (this group requires subscription/admission, I added ref links):<br />
<blockquote>
Everything I write is based on research I have done, and I could provide documentation to support my statements. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
In the opening text of the <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB5" target="_blank">AB5 Bill/Law</a>, the <a href="https://law.justia.com/cases/california/supreme-court/2018/s222732.html" target="_blank">Dynamex court case</a> is referred to as its inspiring incident. Therefore, I think it is important to review that case for context before I proceed with my feedback about AB5 - because it is relevant. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
The Dynamex court case decision was based on the complete opposite of the AB5 construct. Between 2004-2005, Dynamex de-classified employees WITH benefits into independent contractors with NO benefits, as an effort to save money. This case was brought by a small group of drivers who after 3 months of transition realized they preferred being employees, and filed a misclassification lawsuit. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
I have access to testimonials from other Dynamex workers who ultimately appreciated having the new option to accept and refuse work; due to the new flexibility independent contracting gave them. Ultimately, the court decision took away all Dynamex worker’s right to choose which employment situation they preferred resulting in the construct of the ABC test to more specifically determine what an employee was despite that already being defined at the federal level.<br />
The Dynamex couriers who appreciated and preferred the transition into an independent contract have since spoken out against those who brought on the original court case. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
So the point of AB5 as a response to the Dynamex case is a very challenging rationale to resolve that elects for some less clear reason to take away the rightful and legal option for persons to choose their own working conditions that best suited THEIR needs. As a failed attempt to course correct the misclassification of workers, AB5 has confused what an “employee” is while separating U.S. citizens from their right to choose the conditions of how they choose to work under legal federal codes and allowances. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
So now there are multiple sources applied at the state level that have various definitions of what an “employee” is and what self-employed is. It could be presumed that our FEDERAL government’s definitions hold the highest authority over the State. But AB5 does not follow that rationale. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
The IRS was formed in 1862 and at the Federal level we have two classifications of work in the U.S. - Employee and Self-employed. And according to a 2019 survey in USA today 1/3 of Americans are independent contractors – thousands of people who contribute to the economic vitality of our country. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
As of today, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at IRS.gov defines an individual who works as an independent contractor or owns a business as a sole proprietor or partner is self-employed.<br />
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Furthermore, the California Employment Development Department at <a href="http://edd.ca.gov/">EDD.CA.gov</a> takes its definition of self-employed from the IRS, which it must then use to follow the definition of what self-employment is - which is either: a self-employed individual, independent contractor, or general partner.<br />
<br />
So with this in mind…why then, is a current State Assemblymember using the Dynamex case from 2005 to inspire the formation of AB5 in 2018? Perhaps the Labor Unions involved in AB5 think the now 14-year-old Dynamex case was an opportunity to manipulate the Federal definition of what “self-employed” means or doesn’t mean for a more defined purpose. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Assemblymember <a href="https://twitter.com/LorenaSGonzalez" target="_blank">Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher</a> (@LorenaAD80), can you please provide documentation that gives you the authority (as a state-level official), to obtain an exemption for the State of California to use a different definition of self-employment than the IRS? What gives the State of California the authority to use a different definition of employee or self-employed in any new way it wants, and one that is different than the highest level of government? </blockquote>
<blockquote>
The California EDD website states, “As of January 1st, 2020 all workers are now employees.” The term “worker” can either mean an “employee” or an “independent contractor.” Without justifying documentation to decipher which definition to use (EDD or IRS) - it is not convincing that AB5 is even legal or enforceable. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Let me be clear, the Borello and the ABC tests were devised to determine what an employee was, NOT what self-employment was, because self-employment is already defined at the Federal level.<br />
Applying theses tests to a person who has declared and can prove themselves, as defined by the IRS as self-employed is then irrelevant.<br />
Next feedback point is that… </blockquote>
<blockquote>
AB5 contradicts itself and lacks an open transparent process in the following ways: </blockquote>
<blockquote>
In the opening text of AB5, it refers to WAGE ORDERS of which there are 17 that describe which fields and occupations are exempted already from employee status, including how and why. </blockquote>
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So, here is the contradiction within AB5… </blockquote>
<blockquote>
We have the Wage Orders referred to, (code 10-1002, a previously existing document applied to AB5 says Creatives and the Professional Performing Arts are already exempted from being defined as employees), and then we have a totally different document created for AB5 that does not exempt Performing Artists. Instead, it lists a Fine Arts exemption determined by privileged parties including representatives of labor unions through a conflicted process. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
The exemption process, I argue is contentious because we, (the workers of California), were not all equally privileged to understand, nor participate in the process of how exemptions were determined. All businesses (for profits and nonprofits alike) need be registered with the state, so we could have easily received a notification from the Secretary of State and/or Attorney General about how our specific business can go about seeking an exemption. </blockquote>
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Speaking of enforceable documents… </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201120120SB459&fbclid=IwAR1aQU6GIZqboTD2oIfwz2SXcYSvzzp55R0qFt_uc71v4aHCa9phzSoC4M4" target="_blank">SB 459</a> signed by Governor Jerry Brown in 2011 specifically deals with the overt misclassification of workers. When pressed about this bill, ASM Gonzalez-Fletcher stated SB 459 wasn’t enforceable and yet, there have been numerous court cases that clearly demonstrate that it has been. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Several California Senators and Assemblymembers I have spoken to, publicly agree - including those who have since flipped to agreeing that AB5 may not be enforceable for the reasons I state. The state does not have higher authority than the federal government to redefine what an employee is, nor completely ignore the federal definition for self-employed. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
AND so before I ask my clarify question, here is my final statement:<br />
<br />
I have demonstrated that I have spent time doing the investigative research relating to AB5; and I am not convinced the author, nor its sponsors have.<br />
<br />
There are too many discrepancies that make this bill (which is now a law), challenging to acknowledge. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
AB5 is based on an assumption that self-employed people are in need of help from themselves because they are incapable of negotiating the terms and conditions of their own contracts to provide services of their own creation. Something 1/3 of self-employed Americans across the United States have CHOSEN to do for over 100 years. AB5 now takes away that legal choice for so many. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
One final thing the author does not understand or acknowledge is that long term, Full-Time jobs (with benefits), with one exclusive employer for Professional Performing Artists RARELY exists, with minimal exceptions including union jobs across the United States. Most artists work on a project, gig, event, short term, or seasonal basis - and this is standard practice in our industry. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
In closing, I would like to ask my one clarifying question:<br />
What IS the real reason for AB5? </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Peter G. Kalivas, PGK DANCE!</blockquote>
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My commentary/response after the jump...<br />
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My <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/FreelancersAgainstAB5/permalink/473998646641370/?comment_id=474069573300944" target="_blank">response:</a><br />
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BRAVO. We need our stories up front, but simultaneously gathering the data and research to defeat this legally is the long-term gain for everyone.<br />
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What is painful is that this battle has just begun because our voice is currently outspent and outpositioned by LG and Big Labor, and there are those all too willing to make this a partisan issue rather than the issue of power corrupting common sense. AB459, as we've hammered over and over, is the big elephant in the room - a law that could have adequately addressed harms by Uber or any other company allegedly misclassifying, but thirst for control of the freelancer class ultimately was added into the mix as well, putting politics over a portion of the "gig economy" that was not in need of saving or protecting. And thus, AB5.<br />
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The fact that so many weren't even aware (and still not aware) of AB5 being in place (and $20M at the ready to enforce and fine) tells us all we need to know. No mailing out to residents on a law affecting hundreds of thousands of people directly in their pocketbook? Nothing to small businesses that hold an LLC or other entity? Having ill-equipped EDD officials holding seminars that leave concerned and anxious sole proprietors who want to comply left with little useful information?<br />
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Assemblymember Gonzalez's ignorance of the many affected professional areas (learning after the fact is, quite frankly, an embarrassment) is awful, and the profanity and unbecoming nature of engagement as an elected official, astonishing. It would be one matter if this bill's conception and roll out was a mistake, but it was not.<br />
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Self-employed professionals don't seek to undercut those under the thumb of big business skirting the law, and don't appreciated being tarred by pro-AB5 forces as against protections. We are against overreaching bad law. <b>And no law is well-written if it needs dozens, if not hundreds of exemptions. </b>Especially if exemptions are obtained by "random" professions no more important (but have clout and presence) than another that was not invited to the table.<br />
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So I thank everyone for reaching out to their lawmakers. There is strength in numbers. It is about the WE, not the ME.<br />
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<hr />
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Read up... </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li><i><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2020/01/ab5-battles-why-pit-worker-against.html" target="_blank">AB5 battles - why pit segments of the self-employed against one another in the gig economy?</a></u></span></i></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2020/01/request-for-cleanup-bill-submitted-by.html" target="_blank"><i>"Request for cleanup" bill submitted by sponsor of misguided AB5 </i></a></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li><i><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2020/01/californias-ab5-wreaking-havoc-for.html" target="_blank">California's AB5 - wreaking havoc for independent contractors</a></u></span></i> </li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2019/12/AB5.html" target="_blank">Independent contractors both helped and hurt by CA's AB5</a> (Pam)</i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.nfib.com/content/legal-compliance/labor/understanding-ab-5-californias-new-independent-contracting-rules/" target="_blank">AB 5 - CA’s New Independent Contracting Rules</a> (exemptions)</i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.epi.org/publication/how-californias-ab5-protects-workers-from-misclassification/?fbclid=IwAR234A0_koKrGZ1OzIp1HO7bZOza8IIk_jpDPpOkmmdM9IJrSIpIPEWDfMc" target="_blank">Why misclassification is a problem</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.damemagazine.com/2019/10/22/will-this-california-law-end-freelance-work/" target="_blank">Will This California Law End Freelance Work?</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://nathansgibson.org/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-ab-5-business-to-business-exemption/?fbclid=IwAR0EV-FkCeAVZQIj9lrQeoKthFQKXsgoijNYq0SRuPaCSxFOg7AUaMIuAzg" target="_blank">What You Need to Know About the AB 5 “Business-to-Business” Exemption</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/how-a-new-law-will-change-california-show-biz-69760/?fbclid=IwAR3xB2a9lX3WHP_U1OTxX2DDlJtW5KyQD8nx30RQ9W4VCN3iP93OIYjeSKY" target="_blank">How a New Law Will Change California Show Biz</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-12-17/vox-media-cuts-hundreds-freelancers-ab5" target="_blank">Vox Media cuts hundreds of freelance journalists as AB 5 changes loom</a></i> </li>
<li><i><a href="https://youtu.be/y6JoSXU3Mk0" target="_blank">Pam on Michelangelo Signorile Show re: AB5</a></i> (Dec 30). </li>
<li><i><u><a href="https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/faq_independentcontractor.htm" target="_blank">What is independent contractor versus employee (State of CA FAQ)</a></u></i></li>
<li><a href="https://www.edd.ca.gov/pdf_pub_ctr/de38.pdf" target="_blank">Employment Determination Worksheet</a> <i>(State of CA PDF checklist test)</i></li>
<li><i>How to find your lawmaker to write/call: </i><a href="http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/">http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov</a></li>
<li></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-52017849790945118622020-01-09T15:52:00.004-08:002020-01-14T23:37:52.465-08:00AB5 battles - why pit segments of the self-employed against one another in the gig economy?An unhelpful Tweet from the group Gig Workers Rising (<a href="https://twitter.com/GigWorkersRise" target="_blank">@GigWorkersRise</a>) that I responded to. <a href="https://twitter.com/GigWorkersRise/status/1215333011790561280" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/GigWorkersRise/status/1215333011790561280</a><br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/GigWorkersRise/status/1215333011790561280" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="769" height="198" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vsq9OrxMmkg/Xhe423x62nI/AAAAAAABrqc/JWXkeIJhDrUSBVM9H7mSAM9HrpM5Y9xpACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/twitter.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
This isn't the time to pit one independent contractor group's rights over another's when the Gig Economy has different facets that were NOT acknowledged or accommodated by AB5. It's (exceedingly) bad law to boot, and to act as if the people hurt by AB5 are somehow to blame for incorrectly following the definition of an IC to begin with is horrendous.<br />
<br />
But this is going to be hardball, online and offline, to right this ship. No one wins with acts like this. The best way to be effective is to communicate with and meet your lawmakers, write letters to the editor, and organize with positivity to assert why AB5 is harming your ability to make an honest living. <a href="http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/">http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/</a><br />
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<b>Side note</b>: I looked up Gig Workers Rising, and gee, I'm sure it's a coincidence, but it's the same address of a chapter of the AFL-CIO-affiliated American Federation-Musicians that supported AB5. <a href="https://gigworkersrising.org/">https://gigworkersrising.org/</a><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIuMzdTvl-k/Xhe7TW9vO3I/AAAAAAABrqo/eZXAWqUxvR4K5nO11-JKVOlr1Ag_FoGjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/gigworkers%2Baddy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIuMzdTvl-k/Xhe7TW9vO3I/AAAAAAABrqo/eZXAWqUxvR4K5nO11-JKVOlr1Ag_FoGjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/gigworkers%2Baddy2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtDdY4S-qnM/Xhe7aaVJ4dI/AAAAAAABrqs/TqxH5rRdu4QL_U955dgeFa1XJdQiKDYFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AB5%2Bgigworkers2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="164" data-original-width="378" height="138" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtDdY4S-qnM/Xhe7aaVJ4dI/AAAAAAABrqs/TqxH5rRdu4QL_U955dgeFa1XJdQiKDYFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/AB5%2Bgigworkers2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And...<br />
<br />
<b>Why was AB5 needed when SB459 was already on the books?</b> <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201120120SB459&fbclid=IwAR1aQU6GIZqboTD2oIfwz2SXcYSvzzp55R0qFt_uc71v4aHCa9phzSoC4M4" target="_blank">Senate Bill No. 459</a>, passed and has been law since 2012 addresses <a href="https://tinyurl.com/r9u7rzo" target="_blank">misclassification</a>:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"California already has a worker misclassification law it’s not enforcing: California Senate Bill 459 is an existing law that makes it unlawful for companies to misclassify workers. This law puts its money where its mouth is. It gives the state Labor and Workforce Development Agency the power to fine companies $5,000 to $25,000 per violation for willfully misclassifying workers and allows the state Labor Commissioner to assess additional civil and liquidated damages.<br />
<br />
The law has been in effect since January 1, 2012 but so far has not been used to challenge worker misclassification at Uber, Lyft, or other Gig Economy platform companies."</blockquote>
Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-7799223235689918432020-01-07T15:35:00.000-08:002020-01-14T23:14:10.204-08:00"Request for cleanup" bill submitted by sponsor of misguided AB5<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehZhkq15oF4/Xg-6_br6peI/AAAAAAABrp8/T4iMRNsqe789RjxrmwjP8DtOXugLY8G_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Pamspring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehZhkq15oF4/Xg-6_br6peI/AAAAAAABrp8/T4iMRNsqe789RjxrmwjP8DtOXugLY8G_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Pamspring.jpg" width="160" /></a>The blowback from the "unintended consequences" of California's AB5 law -- that has effectively eliminated independent contracting (unless your profession managed to get an exemption) -- is astonishing, and the heat of an enormous segment of freelancers who are now losing contracts and work because of the sledgehammer ABC test has forced the law's sponsor to respond -- with a feeble admission the law is poorly written. <a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2020/01/californias-ab5-wreaking-havoc-for.html" target="_blank">See my earlier post</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB1850&fbclid=IwAR2AnxGmCpDMinzYPsaa1yuJ4M-JONjLXuEtzdfkxhyarcJkuN9x7Y-Ouew" target="_blank"><b>AB 1850</b></a>, as introduced by Lorena Gonzalez, does not propose to suspend enforcement of AB5 to stabilize the negative impact on the state economy, it merely asks that the legislature to clarify how it is implemented...<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>AB 1850, as introduced, Gonzalez. Employee classification.</b><br />
Existing law, as established in the case of Dynamex Operations W. v. Superior Court (2018) 4 Cal.5th 903 (Dynamex), creates a presumption that a worker who performs services for a hirer is an employee for purposes of claims for wages and benefits arising under wage orders issued by the Industrial Welfare Commission. Existing law requires a 3-part test, commonly known as the “ABC” test, to determine if workers are employees or independent contractors for purposes of specified wage orders. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Existing law establishes that, for purposes of the Labor Code, the Unemployment Insurance Code, and the wage orders of the Industrial Welfare Commission, a person providing labor or services for remuneration is considered an employee rather than an independent contractor unless the hiring entity demonstrates that the person is free from the control and direction of the hiring entity in connection with the performance of the work, the person performs work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business, and the person is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, or business. This test is commonly known as the “ABC” test. Existing law charges the Labor Commissioner with the enforcement of labor laws, including worker classification. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Existing law exempts specified occupations and business relationships from the application of Dynamex and these provisions. Existing law instead provides that these exempt relationships are governed by the test adopted in S. G. Borello & Sons, Inc. v. Department of Industrial Relations (1989) 48 Cal.3d 341. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would further clarify the application of the California Supreme Court’s decision in Dynamex and recently-enacted requirements under the Labor Code. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would further clarify the application of the California Supreme Court’s decision in Dynamex Operations W. v. Superior Court (2018) 4 Cal.5th 903 and requirements under Section 2750.3 of the Labor Code.</blockquote>
<br />
That's it. After all, with each passing quarter, independent contractors who are now "employee" must be paid, and taxes are required to be withheld by these newly minted "employers". What would retroactivity mean for state withholdings gathered under AB5 if the "employees" go back to being independent contractors?<br />
<br />
And we STILL have the open question of why AB5 was needed when <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201120120SB459&fbclid=IwAR1aQU6GIZqboTD2oIfwz2SXcYSvzzp55R0qFt_uc71v4aHCa9phzSoC4M4" target="_blank">SB459 was already on the books</a>? It makes it illegal to misclassify employees as independent contractors -- with stiff fines. It was never used. (https://tinyurl.com/r9u7rzo)<br />
<br />
<b>HISTORY</b>: Gonzalez was confronted on the floor by Senator Jeff Stone's on September 10, 2019 during debate on AB5 and the infamous exemption request form (produced by the AFL-CIO, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/FreelancersAgainstAB5/permalink/464438964264005/" target="_blank">labeled on its bottom</a>). It's worth your watch. Skip to 9:06. (via <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/FreelancersAgainstAB5/permalink/466072270767341/" target="_blank">Karen Anderson of Freelancers Against AB5</a>).<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="275" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mN-tQr7D9xo" width="425"></iframe><br />
<br />
<hr />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Good reads...<br />
<ul>
<li><i><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2020/01/californias-ab5-wreaking-havoc-for.html" target="_blank">California's AB5 - wreaking havoc for independent contractors</a></u></span></i> </li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2019/12/AB5.html" target="_blank">Independent contractors both helped and hurt by CA's AB5</a> (Pam)</i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.nfib.com/content/legal-compliance/labor/understanding-ab-5-californias-new-independent-contracting-rules/" target="_blank">AB 5 - CA’s New Independent Contracting Rules</a> (exemptions)</i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.epi.org/publication/how-californias-ab5-protects-workers-from-misclassification/?fbclid=IwAR234A0_koKrGZ1OzIp1HO7bZOza8IIk_jpDPpOkmmdM9IJrSIpIPEWDfMc" target="_blank">Why misclassification is a problem</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.damemagazine.com/2019/10/22/will-this-california-law-end-freelance-work/" target="_blank">Will This California Law End Freelance Work?</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://nathansgibson.org/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-ab-5-business-to-business-exemption/?fbclid=IwAR0EV-FkCeAVZQIj9lrQeoKthFQKXsgoijNYq0SRuPaCSxFOg7AUaMIuAzg" target="_blank">What You Need to Know About the AB 5 “Business-to-Business” Exemption</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/how-a-new-law-will-change-california-show-biz-69760/?fbclid=IwAR3xB2a9lX3WHP_U1OTxX2DDlJtW5KyQD8nx30RQ9W4VCN3iP93OIYjeSKY" target="_blank">How a New Law Will Change California Show Biz</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-12-17/vox-media-cuts-hundreds-freelancers-ab5" target="_blank">Vox Media cuts hundreds of freelance journalists as AB 5 changes loom</a></i> </li>
<li><i><a href="https://youtu.be/y6JoSXU3Mk0" target="_blank">Pam on Michelangelo Signorile Show re: AB5</a></i> (Dec 30). </li>
<li><i><u><a href="https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/faq_independentcontractor.htm" target="_blank">What is independent contractor versus employee (State of CA FAQ)</a></u></i></li>
<li><a href="https://www.edd.ca.gov/pdf_pub_ctr/de38.pdf" target="_blank">Employment Determination Worksheet</a> <i>(State of CA PDF checklist test)</i></li>
<li><i>How to find your lawmaker to write/call: </i><a href="http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/">http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov</a></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<hr />
Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-52558949680711414192020-01-03T15:49:00.000-08:002020-01-14T23:16:59.539-08:00California's AB5 - wreaking havoc for independent contractors<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehZhkq15oF4/Xg-6_br6peI/AAAAAAABrp8/T4iMRNsqe789RjxrmwjP8DtOXugLY8G_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Pamspring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehZhkq15oF4/Xg-6_br6peI/AAAAAAABrp8/T4iMRNsqe789RjxrmwjP8DtOXugLY8G_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Pamspring.jpg" width="160" /></a>The CA legislature goes back into session next week, and the new AB5 law is now in effect, with significant consequences ahead for California's economy. It's the law of unintended consequences -- or is it?<br />
<br />
Some topics below:<br />
* So I called the EDD for information about compliance...<br />
* What does compliance look like?<br />
* Why was AB5 needed when SB459 is already on the books?<br />
* This isn't jaywalking...<br />
<br />
Those who work as independent contractors/freelancers (unless you were in a professional classification that <b><a href="https://www.nfib.com/content/legal-compliance/labor/understanding-ab-5-californias-new-independent-contracting-rules/" target="_blank">lobbied and won an exemption</a></b>) now face the prospect of being fired, or less-hireable instantly. Why? Because those who hired you for your services now have to hire you as an employee. And they have to fulfill all labor laws -- that also means payroll withholding taxes. Ostensibly this is to protect service professionals that are routinely denied these rights by large companies exploiting and misclassifying them as independent contractors.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Good reads...<br />
<ul>
<li><i><a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2019/12/AB5.html" target="_blank">Independent contractors both helped and hurt by CA's AB5</a> (Pam)</i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.nfib.com/content/legal-compliance/labor/understanding-ab-5-californias-new-independent-contracting-rules/" target="_blank">AB 5 - CA’s New Independent Contracting Rules</a> (exemptions)</i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.epi.org/publication/how-californias-ab5-protects-workers-from-misclassification/?fbclid=IwAR234A0_koKrGZ1OzIp1HO7bZOza8IIk_jpDPpOkmmdM9IJrSIpIPEWDfMc" target="_blank">Why misclassification is a problem</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.damemagazine.com/2019/10/22/will-this-california-law-end-freelance-work/" target="_blank">Will This California Law End Freelance Work?</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://nathansgibson.org/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-ab-5-business-to-business-exemption/?fbclid=IwAR0EV-FkCeAVZQIj9lrQeoKthFQKXsgoijNYq0SRuPaCSxFOg7AUaMIuAzg" target="_blank">What You Need to Know About the AB 5 “Business-to-Business” Exemption</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/how-a-new-law-will-change-california-show-biz-69760/?fbclid=IwAR3xB2a9lX3WHP_U1OTxX2DDlJtW5KyQD8nx30RQ9W4VCN3iP93OIYjeSKY" target="_blank">How a New Law Will Change California Show Biz</a></i></li>
<li><i><a href="https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-12-17/vox-media-cuts-hundreds-freelancers-ab5" target="_blank">Vox Media cuts hundreds of freelance journalists as AB 5 changes loom</a></i> </li>
<li><i><a href="https://youtu.be/y6JoSXU3Mk0" target="_blank">Pam on Michelangelo Signorile Show re: AB5</a></i> (Dec 30). </li>
<li><i><u><a href="https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/faq_independentcontractor.htm" target="_blank">What is independent contractor versus employee (State of CA FAQ)</a></u></i></li>
<li><a href="https://www.edd.ca.gov/pdf_pub_ctr/de38.pdf" target="_blank">Employment Determination Worksheet</a> <i>(State of CA PDF checklist test)</i></li>
<li><i>How to find your lawmaker to write/call: </i><a href="http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/">http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov</a></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<hr />
But AB5 harms hundreds of thousands of independent contractors that rely on freedom to determine their rates of pay, when and how they work. The massive problems are exemplified by the enormous number of exemptions -- the law is too broad, a sledgehammer. Since the legislature reconvenes on Jan 6, expect amendment proposals on the table. AB5 needs to enumerate its language to include musicians in the exempted Fine Artists category, because the bill as signed into law does NOT specify musicians. Or, more broadly, adopt amendment language that includes many more groups similarly affected.<br />
<br />
Apparently enforcement by the <a href="https://www.edd.ca.gov/" target="_blank">Employer Development Department</a> will not occur until July, but what are contractors and those who hire them supposed to do in the meantime?! Payroll has to be set up and withholdings will begin, and payments will flow to the state coffers.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">I called the EDD...</span></b><br />
I personally called the Employer Development Department last week. If you want any education about how to comply, or who is affected...you are pretty much SOL. I was told to go to the EDD and FTB web sites. The option to talk to a human is limited - I was connected to the "Auditor of the Day" and got voicemail, left a detailed message, and was never called back.<br />
<br />
They believe that putting a comprehensive web site and directing people there is sufficient when many independent contractors and those who hire them have never been an employer, have no experience doing payroll/withholding and submitting paperwork to the state for this. So there goes another expense -- hiring a payroll company to do that, or learn to do it yourself (with the high risk of making errors - 1/3 of companies do -- and receiving fines). Madness.<br />
<br />
<b>What logistically will happen if AB5 is rolled back with exemptions retroactive back to January</b>? I cannot tell you. <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/dianemulcahy/2019/09/20/californias-new-gig-economy-law-is-all-bark-no-bite/#905dbeebaef7" target="_blank">More confusion</a>: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Enforcement will be slow and uncertain: AB5 does not tell businesses that they must reclassify their workers as of January 1, 2020. Instead, the new law allows cities and the state to challenge a company’s worker classifications through legal action. California government agencies will have to spend time and legal fees to sue companies and determine through the courts whether the workers are employees or independent contractors."</blockquote>
<b><span style="color: red;">So, what does compliance look like for these new "employers" and "employees"? </span></b> There you'll need to consult with an an employment attorney or accountant - and many of them aren't up on AB5. The <a href="https://www.ftb.ca.gov/" target="_blank">Franchise Tax Board</a> and Employment Development Department note AB5 on their sites -- they will enforce the law. I'm sure if you are employing a freelancer, you don't want to be caught with multiple violations. The uncertainty is why many businesses, including magazines, fired their entire freelance staff in 2019 in anticipation of compliance with AB5 (<a href="https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-12-17/vox-media-cuts-hundreds-freelancers-ab5" target="_blank">see Vox layoffs</a>).<br />
<br />
<b style="color: red;">Question...why was AB5 needed when SB459 was already on the books?</b> <span style="color: red;">Perhaps someone out there can shed light on this...</span>I came across <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/dianemulcahy/2019/09/20/californias-new-gig-economy-law-is-all-bark-no-bite/#6b300043baef" target="_blank">this article</a> that begs the question <u><b><span style="color: red;">why CA passed AB5 at all</span></b></u> when there is a <a href="https://tinyurl.com/ugfurk4" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">law already on the books</span></a>, <b><a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201120120SB459&fbclid=IwAR1aQU6GIZqboTD2oIfwz2SXcYSvzzp55R0qFt_uc71v4aHCa9phzSoC4M4" target="_blank">Senate Bill No. 459</a></b>, regarding misclassification (<a href="https://tinyurl.com/r9u7rzo" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/r9u7rzo</a>): <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"California already has a worker misclassification law it’s not enforcing: <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201120120SB459&fbclid=IwAR1aQU6GIZqboTD2oIfwz2SXcYSvzzp55R0qFt_uc71v4aHCa9phzSoC4M4" target="_blank">California Senate Bill 459</a> is an existing law that makes it unlawful for companies to misclassify workers. This law puts its money where its mouth is. It gives the state Labor and Workforce Development Agency the power to fine companies $5,000 to $25,000 per violation for willfully misclassifying workers and allows the state Labor Commissioner to assess additional civil and liquidated damages. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The law has been in effect since January 1, 2012 but so far has not been used to challenge worker misclassification at Uber, Lyft, or other Gig Economy platform companies. </blockquote>
<b>From the SB459 itself:</b> <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
SB 459, Corbett. Employment: independent contractors. <i>Existing law prescribes comprehensive requirements relating to minimum wages, overtime compensation, and standards for working conditions for the protection of employees applicable to an employment relationship. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>This bill would prohibit willful misclassification, as defined, of individuals as independent contractors. The bill also would prohibit charging individuals who have been mischaracterized as independent contractors a fee or making deductions from compensation, as specified, where those acts would have violated the law if the individuals had not been mischaracterized. The bill would authorize the Labor and Workforce Development Agency to assess specified civil penalties from, and would require the agency to take other specified disciplinary actions against, persons or employers violating these prohibitions. It would also require the agency to notify the Contractors’ State License Board of a violator that is a licensed contractor, and require the board to initiate an action against the licensee. The bill would authorize an individual to file a complaint, as specified, to request the Labor Commissioner to issue a determination that a person or employer has violated these prohibitions with regard to the individual filing the complaint. The bill would authorize the Labor Commissioner to assess civil and liquidated damages against a person or employer based on a determination that the person or employer has violated these prohibitions. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>This bill would provide that a person who, for money or other valuable consideration, knowingly advises an employer to treat an individual as an independent contractor to avoid employee status for the individual shall be jointly and severally liable with the employer if the individual is not found to be an independent contractor. This bill would exempt from the provisions regarding joint and several liability a person who provides advice to his or her employer or an attorney who provides legal advice in the course of practicing law.</i></blockquote>
<b><span style="color: red;">So what gives?</span></b><br />
AB5 Bill sponsor <b><a href="https://a80.asmdc.org/article/contact-lorena" target="_blank">Assemblymember Gonzalez</a></b> (<a href="https://twitter.com/LorenaSGonzalez" target="_blank">on Twitter</a>) -- perhaps she can give specific insight/rationale. Ostensibly the state could have charged Uber or Lyft with misclassifications violations under this statute (they were not). SO...a possible reason I can think of why they passed AB5 was to try to explicitly define what an independent contractor is (SB-459 does not). But the definition as outlined in AB5 makes it nearly impossible for <u>any</u> IC to pass muster. What it does do is place onus on newly minted "employers" to do withholding of taxes that go to the coffers for state unemployment, disability, etc., enforced by the Franchise Tax Board and Employment Development Department.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Call and write your representative...</span></b><br />
If you don't know who they are, you can find them by your address and zip code: <a href="http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/">http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/</a><span style="background-color: #fff3ec; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> .</span>. Better yet, go make an appointment to see them in the local office or in the legislature in Sacramento. They need to see the faces of hard-working, self-employed constituents whose careers are being harmed by AB5. Find out why and how they intend to help AB5 be retooled to serve Californian independent contractors that want to remain independent.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">This isn't jaywalking...</span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b>NOTE: </b></span>I've also heard that some hiring freelancers/contractors will simply break the law and hope they don't get caught and do business as usual. To try to fly under the radar until AB5 is addressed. Do you trust that you won't get reported? You can't frame that as "a protest" to simply ignore the law. If you think that is a truly a protest, then feel free to call up the EDD and FTB and let them know you're openly in noncompliance with AB 5 in this manner and see how that goes...<br />
<br />
It's the WE, not the ME time. My suggestion - redirect your anger and frustration and DO something that helps roll AB5 back, please. There are millions in the same boat as you are. And many who are not, but will stand by you and work to make this equitable and just for everyone. <br />
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Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-85661255882010440072019-12-30T12:51:00.000-08:002020-01-14T23:23:04.162-08:00Independent contractors both helped and hurt by California's AB5<div arial="" font-size:="" helvetica="" sans-serif="" small="">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KGxdXI5Htvw/XgqPtq6YN3I/AAAAAAABrpg/axLr7q6Qp2U0D5zhQ2R8-rp1jS8yO0jTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Pamspring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KGxdXI5Htvw/XgqPtq6YN3I/AAAAAAABrpg/axLr7q6Qp2U0D5zhQ2R8-rp1jS8yO0jTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Pamspring.jpg" width="160" /></a>[<b>Breaking 1/1</b> - the CA trucking industry managed to get a fed judge <a href="https://www.freightwaves.com/news/breaking-federal-judge-temporarily-blocks-ab5-enforcement-in-california" target="_blank">to temporarily block</a> AB5 implementation. The law is still in effect for all other indy contractors, which goes to show you if you have organizing power -- a guild, association, or a lobby -- some open negotiation can be achieved.]<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
While I am out of full-time activism since shuttering my blog, <b><a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/p/about-pams-house-blend.html" target="_blank">Pam's House Blend, back in 2013</a></b>, this is a topic that runs at the foundation of what I have done as a working professional -- I've been a small business owner, an employee of a large company, and a freelance reporter and project manager as an independent contractor. Now living in California, a landmark piece of legislation, AB5, takes effect on January 1, 2020, and it will have nationwide implications for other states that may take this up (<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id%3D201920200AB5&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNGzdArBOPIfs8Fdb_K1XKEd8BZd8g" href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB5" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">link to final bill as signed</a>). Lawmakers in NY and NJ are considering similar legislation.<br />
<br />
Does it affect you? <b><a href="https://www.nfib.com/content/legal-compliance/labor/understanding-ab-5-californias-new-independent-contracting-rules/" target="_blank">Understanding AB 5 - California’s New Independent Contracting Rules</a> </b></div>
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The intent is laudable -- so many large companies hire independent contractors to avoid benefits like overtime, paid time off, disability and unemployment, etc. that are paid by the state. Such a company that raised the red flag is the ride-share giant Uber, whose drivers are considered by the company to be unattached to it, only contractors hired. The state of California believed that these workers are actually employees by definition in any other circumstance, and thus are misclassified. And this is why Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzales (D-San Diego), <strike>authored</strike> sponsored the bill that was passed and signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. It must also be added that <a href="https://calmatters.org/economy/2019/09/whos-in-whos-out-of-ab-5/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">the state estimates</a> it loses around $7B annually in payroll taxes due to worker misclassification, so it's not only altruism for the self-employed professional involved here.</div>
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The problem here is, of course, the <b><i>unintended consequences</i></b> on the hundreds of thousands of independent contractor/hiring entity relationships that are EXACTLY what the two parties want - the freedom of the freelancer to set their own hours, bring their own tools and expertise to the project, and numerous other benefits of a different kind that are erased by AB5. <a href="https://www.nfib.com/content/legal-compliance/labor/understanding-ab-5-californias-new-independent-contracting-rules/" target="_blank"><b>A host of professional groups made sure that exemptions were made</b></a> (doctors, lawyers, agents, etc.) so that they could continue to flourish as independent contractors, acknowledging that the self-employed do not desire or require benefits as employees by choice. </div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Supporters of the bill argue that by avoiding unemployment insurance taxes and workers’ compensation premiums, businesses shift the burden to the state — and its taxpayers — when workers get laid off, get sick or get injured on the job. </span></blockquote>
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Freelance writers are one group felt the immediate impact, even though AB5 has an inadequate exemption, that they can contribute up to 35 pieces to a publication without being considered an employee. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-12-17/vox-media-cuts-hundreds-freelancers-ab5&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNGBArnQTnUK6JhEmHdfPaSlZk-18g" href="https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-12-17/vox-media-cuts-hundreds-freelancers-ab5" style="color: #1155cc; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Vox's layoffs this year in anticipation of AB5</a>. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia";">In 2020, the company will create a new team of SB Nation employees to cover California sports that have largely been covered by independent contractors since 2003. Vox Media will end contracts with about 200 people, including non-California freelancers who cover teams based in the state, and replace them with 20 new part-time and full-time staffers, according to a source familiar with the decision</span></div>
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</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";">...Ness wrote in the memo that California contractors were encouraged to apply for full-time or part-time positions [at Vox]. For those who do not snag a job but want to keep contributing, Ness wrote that “they need to understand they will not be paid for future contributions.”</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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Here is the obvious need for a law like<b> AB5</b>:</div>
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<b>How California’s AB5 protects those working independently from misclassification</b><br />
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.epi.org/publication/how-californias-ab5-protects-workers-from-misclassification/?fbclid%3DIwAR234A0_koKrGZ1OzIp1HO7bZOza8IIk_jpDPpOkmmdM9IJrSIpIPEWDfMc&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNHoTGWcOTRQ0crETr6ekjxD8BogMA" href="https://www.epi.org/publication/how-californias-ab5-protects-workers-from-misclassification/?fbclid=IwAR234A0_koKrGZ1OzIp1HO7bZOza8IIk_jpDPpOkmmdM9IJrSIpIPEWDfMc" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.epi.org/<wbr></wbr>publication/how-californias-<wbr></wbr>ab5-protects-workers-from-<wbr></wbr>misclassification/?fbclid=<wbr></wbr>IwAR234A0_<wbr></wbr>koKrGZ1OzIp1HO7bZOza8IIk_<wbr></wbr>jpDPpOkmmdM9IJrSIpIPEWDfMc</a></div>
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<img alt="test19.jpg" class="CToWUd a6T" data-image-whitelisted="" height="228" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1?ui=2&ik=b2719a8024&attid=0.2&permmsgid=msg-a:r834015833182281013&th=16f53f7cf43f4860&view=fimg&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ8Yqt-V85omZTnLwTywE3j4I_L4-qr5LibeA0dsqdPEtuKzmrlRETaAo9PADWr9tAqU2A9UkSUO-Dhc8rNubGXYbK4a1Mqo4dERTYsaXP1Mblu9_smLrBdiTSc&disp=emb&realattid=ii_k4rmvjes1" style="outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" width="472" /></div>
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In September, California adopted a new law aimed at combatting the misclassification of workers. The legislation, Assembly Bill (AB) 5, will take effect on January 1, 2020. AB5 adopts the “ABC” test that has been used by courts and government agencies to determine employee status. Under this test, workers can only be classified as independent contractors when a business demonstrates that the workers:</div>
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<li>Are free from control and direction by the hiring company;</li>
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<li>Are independently established in that trade, occupation, or business.</li>
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Workers who don’t meet all three of these conditions must be classified as employees for purposes of state wage and hour protections. AB5 will help ensure that California’s workers who perform core work under company control versus as independent businesses have access to basic labor and employment protections and benefits denied independent contractors, including minimum wage and overtime protections, paid sick days, workers’ compensation benefits, and unemployment insurance benefits... </div>
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But as I said above there is a serious <b>CON side</b>, and a very vocal reaction from independent contractors who are not harmed by their status in the least. From Markos Moulitsas, progressive activist and founder of Daily Kos:</div>
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<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/markos/status/1207429270055768065&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNGFLQARpk_N69sCnFtAA7yNU8Q7Sw" href="https://twitter.com/markos/status/1207429270055768065" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/markos/<wbr></wbr>status/1207429270055768065</a> </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z-GwNiWQDr0/Xgpdo6QhFXI/AAAAAAABrpE/0yCu8Kso1WYDq46eYbBIMwJG_iSlJlGogCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/test20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="775" height="301" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z-GwNiWQDr0/Xgpdo6QhFXI/AAAAAAABrpE/0yCu8Kso1WYDq46eYbBIMwJG_iSlJlGogCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/test20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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WILL THIS CALIFORNIA LAW END FREELANCE WORK?</div>
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<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.damemagazine.com/2019/10/22/will-this-california-law-end-freelance-work/&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNEBWDFtgoFg1B2_OEnKLeIZj4tqZA" href="https://www.damemagazine.com/2019/10/22/will-this-california-law-end-freelance-work/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.damemagazine.com/<wbr></wbr>2019/10/22/will-this-<wbr></wbr>california-law-end-freelance-<wbr></wbr>work/</a> </div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "sabon w01";">In terms of the specifics of AB 5, a number of professions have been </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/exempt-job-categories-under-californias-new-ab5-law.html&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNER96abZEVMhux6Pqew6x1DsxeTvg" href="https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/exempt-job-categories-under-californias-new-ab5-law.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #007cd4; font-family: "Sabon W01"; line-height: 24px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">exempted</a><span style="color: black; font-family: "sabon w01";">, including doctors, lawyers, architects, and graphic designers—presumably, because they are less likely to be exploited by companies that hire them. <b>But many others—specifically freelance writers, but also musicians, editors, and photographers—now face crippling new limits on their ability to work for themselves</b>. Writers, editors, and photographers will be limited to a total of </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/exempt-job-categories-under-californias-new-ab5-law.html&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNER96abZEVMhux6Pqew6x1DsxeTvg" href="https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/exempt-job-categories-under-californias-new-ab5-law.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #007cd4; font-family: "Sabon W01"; line-height: 24px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">35 submissions per year to “hiring firms</a><span style="color: black; font-family: "sabon w01";">.”</span></div>
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UPDATE: on Dec 30 I was on the Michelangelo Signorile show on Sirius XM 127 to discuss this with my friend Joe Sudbay...<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="275" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y6JoSXU3Mk0" width="400"></iframe><br />
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<b>MY Take...</b></div>
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Here is a letter I wrote to a musician to let them know about the impact on mom and pop and sole proprietorships that will be pushed to the brink of collapse to comply when the independent contractor WANTS the freedom of working for themselves without encumbrance of being an employee of many businesses. </div>
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AB5 affects, among many other groups, independent (non-union) musicians. <b>It also affects the</b> <i><u>many freelance writers I know</u></i> (as a former national indy journalist/blogger). Many have been fired from their freelance positions this month in the wake of AB5, because the newspapers and magazines they write for on a regular basis are otherwise required to hire them as employees after Jan 1. What some publications are choosing to do is fire the CA writers, and hire out of state writers (see VOX) -- that they CAN hire those people as independent contractors <i><u>because the writers do not live in CA, subject to AB5</u></i>. The writers fortunately have a guild (The American Society of Journalists and authors) and <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://asja.org/About-ASJA/Independent-Writers-Sue-California-to-Protect-Rights-of-Freelancers-New-Law-Threatens-Careers-and-Violates-the-Constitution&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNFU1IH0Ku2XjsgZpL4upv--VyMoeA" href="https://asja.org/About-ASJA/Independent-Writers-Sue-California-to-Protect-Rights-of-Freelancers-New-Law-Threatens-Careers-and-Violates-the-Constitution" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"> the state is being sued on their behalf</a> over this. </div>
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So it makes California-based writers, musicians and many other kinds of contractors <u>immediately less desirable to hire</u>. Unbelievable. All it takes is for a professional to earn $100 in a quarter by those hiring them to be now classified as an employee. It means independent contractors paid for those gigs now will go on a payroll, receive a check with state withholdings on it to cover state unemployment tax, disability insurance, family leave insurance, etc. just like you would receive from a regular day job.</div>
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<b>Now, I have no doubt that AB5 will be amended to fix this mess. </b>Too many individuals and small businesses are negatively affected (an unintended consequence of trying to get large companies like Uber and Lyft to give benefits to their drivers who operate as indy contractors). AB5 needs to enumerate its language to include musicians in the exempted Fine Artists category, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id%3D201920200AB5&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNGzdArBOPIfs8Fdb_K1XKEd8BZd8g" href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB5" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">because the bill as signed into law does NOT specify musicians</a>.</div>
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<b>Where things stand</b></div>
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<b style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://aristake.com/post/gonzalez-meeting#.XfqTXbPMgFA.twitter" target="_blank">Musician Ari Herstand</a></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> (</span><a href="http://twitter.com/aristake" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank">@aristake</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">) contacted the sponsor </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">of the bill, now law, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (district 80, San-Diego) and met with her on</span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> December 18, AFTER the bill had already been signed into law</b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">. And he did so because musicians are not specifically exempted from AB5 under the Fine Artists exemption. His petition: </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://tinyurl.com/vhahozp">https://tinyurl.com/vhahozp</a></b></span></div>
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Nov article on AB5</div>
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<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://aristake.com/post/AB5&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNHyK5q6A_ReujlC1Pzi5gc4EWTDIw" href="https://aristake.com/post/AB5" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://aristake.com/post/AB5</a></div>
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Dec article on meeting</div>
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<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://aristake.com/post/gonzalez-meeting%23.XfqTXbPMgFA.twitter&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNGGn52EIDvl5OWohT5o7l-JvFTlLA" href="https://aristake.com/post/gonzalez-meeting#.XfqTXbPMgFA.twitter" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://aristake.com/post/<wbr></wbr>gonzalez-meeting#.XfqTXbPMgFA.<wbr></wbr>twitter</a></div>
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The state Assembly reconvenes on <b>January 6</b>. That is when possible amendments will be discussed for the various categories, but do not expect a full Assembly vote to clear this up until <b>September</b>. <b>Until then compliance is required</b>. And it WILL be enforced, as it clearly says on the state web site by the <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.edd.ca.gov/Payroll_Taxes/FAQ_-_Payroll_Taxes_General_Information.htm&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNHAD-HYUKU8wR42aIsd9pbWpcxGSw" href="https://www.edd.ca.gov/Payroll_Taxes/FAQ_-_Payroll_Taxes_General_Information.htm" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Employment Development Department</a> and the <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ftb.ca.gov/tax-pros/law/legislation/assembly-bill-analyses.html&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNHaBYF3dmQZeUdPjL8SwCPsYtCMgg" href="https://www.ftb.ca.gov/tax-pros/law/legislation/assembly-bill-analyses.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Franchise Tax Board</a>. Here are <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.edd.ca.gov/Payroll_Taxes/FAQ_-_Payroll_Taxes_General_Information.htm&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNHAD-HYUKU8wR42aIsd9pbWpcxGSw" href="https://www.edd.ca.gov/Payroll_Taxes/FAQ_-_Payroll_Taxes_General_Information.htm" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">FAQs</a>. </div>
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For those that hire contractors on a regular basis,1) <u>ignorance of the law</u> is not an excuse to avoid AB 5 requirements; 2) <i><u>not complying is a choice, <span style="color: red;">but not a smart one</span></u></i>, as relayed here <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://aristake.com/post/gonzalez-meeting%23.XfqTXbPMgFA.twitter&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNGGn52EIDvl5OWohT5o7l-JvFTlLA" href="https://aristake.com/post/gonzalez-meeting#.XfqTXbPMgFA.twitter" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">from the meeting with Assemblywoman Gonzalez</a>. (BTW, no state entity -- the FTB or the EDD -- I contacted in the last few days said to bypass the law until it is "fixed" and handled retroactively). </div>
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<b>What to do in the interim</b></div>
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1. <b>Musicians need to contact all entities they've worked for as contractors</b> to see 1) if they are aware of AB 5; and 2) what do they plan to do to handle your work with them re: the law come Jan 1.</div>
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As I said above, the Employer Development Department <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.edd.ca.gov/employers.htm&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNG_AGrUP3VDBLs_YQoYh44wPGFI6A" href="https://www.edd.ca.gov/employers.htm" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">makes it very clear about enforcement on its web site</a>. They are looking not only for 1) fraud (submitting 1099s for indy contractors that should now be employees), but also for 2) these new, inexperienced employers to make mistakes in the mountain of regular state paperwork submissions for payroll required to take on employees. Up to <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.paychex.com/articles/payroll-taxes/avoid-payroll-mistakes&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNEQxL95pMDrusmWqzE7nD9bGatDHw" href="https://www.paychex.com/articles/payroll-taxes/avoid-payroll-mistakes" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">1/3 of businesses file paperwork with mistakes</a> because of the complexity and receive fines. From the EDD:</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;">Important:</span> Starting January 1, 2020, workers will be considered employees unless proven otherwise. Visit <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.edd.ca.gov/Payroll_Taxes/ab-5.htm&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNEKwtRN71yKli0pnuoXIyHhd1z2Ig" href="https://www.edd.ca.gov/Payroll_Taxes/ab-5.htm" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: linear-gradient(to right, rgb(4, 107, 153) 50%, transparent 50%); background-origin: padding-box; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 2px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1155cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">AB 5 – Employment Status</a> to learn how it impacts you.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">In addition, it is important for claimants and employers to understand their roles and responsibilities in making sure that information is reported accurately and benefits are paid appropriately. Committing fraud has serious consequences. Learn more on <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Fraud_and_Penalties_What_You_Need_to_Know.htm&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNEaxhHaH2EUiv3IjxGIyUv5eSSM7g" href="https://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Fraud_and_Penalties_What_You_Need_to_Know.htm" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: linear-gradient(to right, rgb(4, 107, 153) 50%, transparent 50%); background-origin: padding-box; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 2px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1155cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Fraud and Penalties: What You Need to Know</a> or review our <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.edd.ca.gov/About_EDD/EDD_Actively_Prosecutes_Fraud.htm&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNEHAMjrbw-2ZfNKrPHaRnfRtMUibQ" href="https://www.edd.ca.gov/About_EDD/EDD_Actively_Prosecutes_Fraud.htm" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: linear-gradient(to right, rgb(4, 107, 153) 50%, transparent 50%); background-origin: padding-box; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 2px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1155cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Recent Fraud Convictions</a>.</span></div>
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2. <b>It's important to know how your state senator and assembly member voted on AB 5</b>. If you don't know who they are, you can find them by your address and zip code:</div>
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<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/&source=gmail&ust=1577748159718000&usg=AFQjCNFi-_AuyVfIoGcB3idsh4JhZ_aZIg" href="http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://findyourrep.<wbr></wbr>legislature.ca.gov/</a> .</div>
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This is how they voted this year on AB5:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5ENjXYgrZk/Xgpde3itpCI/AAAAAAABrpA/cQN0LY4nycAsVzPST6Jr6rcekW4lGl2WQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/test16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="1555" height="102" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5ENjXYgrZk/Xgpde3itpCI/AAAAAAABrpA/cQN0LY4nycAsVzPST6Jr6rcekW4lGl2WQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/test16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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3. <b>Write them to tell them to amend AB5</b> during the next session and how its passage has affected you.</div>
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Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-71683002240467009042016-04-17T14:19:00.000-07:002019-12-30T16:03:07.314-08:00Health journey: when the mirror still doesn't match realityI still don't see myself in the mirror as Panda down 63 lbs. 🐼 It's only when I come across pics like the one on the left that I see the huge difference (someone had this screencap from a CNN appearance from my blogging days during the 2008 presidential cycle on their blog). <br />
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<br />
I was on 3 types of insulin/injectibles for diabetes 3x/day (now I'm off all of them)! Ironically, it was also before rheumatoid arthritis struck (2012) and my L5-S1 herniation, surgery, re-herniation, and last year the disabling disc collapse. I'm thankful that I was not carrying the extra weight during this last physical/health disability that led to my termination from a 22 - year career at Duke University Press after my FMLA ran out.<br />
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But I didn't give up. I am very slowly and carefully working on supporting my back after 3 months of inactivity, first using a walker and then a cane. On the bad days when that nerve gets pressed, it's like an electrical shock and acute pain beyond belief leaving me practically bedridden; other days I can walk unassisted. I can't sit or stand for hours at a time as I did when running/writing the Blend, but I'm doing my best to reboot my life, remake and better myself.<br />
<br />
My dilemma is I really can't consider fusion surgery for a variety of reasons, but the real kicker is the discs above and below the collapsed one are also degenerating, so fusion to them for L5-S1 will hasten their collapse, leading to additional fusion surgery. So my spine is a time bomb, but I can't give up, just forge ahead to make the most of what lies ahead. <br />
<br />
What I am grateful for is your amazing kindness and support of my GoFundMe campaign (<a href="http://gofundme.com/pamscomeback">http://gofundme.com/pamscomeback</a>) to get through this tough limbo period as bureaucracy leaves me twisting in the wind awaiting decisions from Duke and its disability carrier. The latest update is I should know by the first week in May what my options are to move on.<br />
<br />
Chronic, disabling pain is an invisible disability that is life-altering, as many of you have shared in messages and emails to me. It can make life seem hopeless one day, and possible to rise above the next. Dealing with medical professionals to address pain management in a healthy way is its own challenge as well. But I'm here to say not to give up. <br />
<br />
Love, <br />
Panda 🐼 (Pam Spaulding)Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-36999532098759868482016-02-26T17:57:00.002-08:002019-08-28T12:27:36.370-07:00Getting the boot after decades of service -- the Family Medical Leave Act's limitations<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P502d4XyO-Y/VtD4Lp0hTUI/AAAAAAAA55E/RFRWSewK3PU/s1600/12.19.2015Pam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P502d4XyO-Y/VtD4Lp0hTUI/AAAAAAAA55E/RFRWSewK3PU/s320/12.19.2015Pam.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12/19/2015 just before the <br />
disc collapse.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Just remember, even after putting in decades on the job...if you have a disability/chronic condition that requires ongoing medical treatment, surgery or both, those 12 weeks of time under the Family Medical and Leave Act (FMLA) are all you are legally entitled to under federal law. <b>And then your employer can choose to let you go.</b><br />
<br />
One can ask for reasonable accommodations under the Americans With Disabilities Act, such granting an extension of FMLA's job protection for the employee to complete recovery from surgery/rehab, etc.<br />
<br />
However, even with physician recommendations provided, it is still the decision of the employer whether to accept that extension request. A company, if large enough, can sometimes accommodate under the ADA by attempting to match the person to another position (of equal level or lower) in the wider organization.<br />
<br />
The employee often ends up on the short end of the stick.<br />
<br />
Many people end up broke in situations like this, losing their homes, vehicles, etc. they lose the ability to make a living, get into the long disability process and medical bills destroy their lives. All because they got sick...and the limitations of FMLA as a safety net became a stark reality.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
<b>Anyway, with that general information dispensed with, I found out this week that major life changes are ahead for Panda. </b>Priority 1: Panic avoidance - keeping a roof over your head. Priority 2: Handling disability. Priority 3: Figuring out a next chapter and where it takes you.<br />
<br />
Dealing with a situation where I already have rheumatoid arthritis, and this acute recent problem - a reherniation of lumbar disc at L5-S1 that has now collapsed -- and L3 and L4 are not far behind -- it is a life altering state at the moment. It could remain acute and painful (sitting at a desk or standing to work for a full day is simply not tolerable). You know it's bad when the most you can do is lie in bed with a pillow between your knees, on your side, and tap out Facebook entries to pass the effing time, or compose emails on your cell phone to try to manage appointments and respond to questions.<br />
<br />
Where making a ten-foot trip to the bathroom can be painful and a fall-risk at times. A far cry from walking 2 miles a day, losing 60+ lbs just a few months ago. I have managed to hold my weight loss steady. The "pain diet" works wonders for appetite suppression.<br />
<br />
Taking time off for anterior fusion surgery exceeds FMLA time (too risky because of my RA and the frontal approach) and recuperation is long - 4-18 months. So that was out. Getting stabilized (or find out if I can recover enough to return to work) with PT, alternative therapies and medication could do the same - and has run out the FMLA clock.<br />
<br />
Life has not treated me kindly so far in 2016. Hopefully something will change for the better. I may have to sell my house and move.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
I have to give a shout-out of love to two really important friends in my life who have been right there for me during the past year of difficult times - <b>Joe Sudbay</b>, citizen journalist extraordinaire and partner in crime during my Pam's House Blend days; and my bestie and Grand Poobah, <b>Jeff Salado</b>, lead singer and manager of the tribute band <strike>Journey Revisited </strike>Faithfully Live.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y10jV3pyjFs/VtD8jof6DjI/AAAAAAAA55g/7yvUiCdLX4U/s1600/buds.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y10jV3pyjFs/VtD8jof6DjI/AAAAAAAA55g/7yvUiCdLX4U/s400/buds.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Both of them are lifelines to sanity and support in times of such upheaval and doubt. I love my buds; it's not often to have not one, but two such beautiful souls have your back.<br />
<br />
<table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SJgK1Ej8Jmg/VtD6fXCNQbI/AAAAAAAA55Q/Ti89UxMogpg/s1600/pamjoe2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SJgK1Ej8Jmg/VtD6fXCNQbI/AAAAAAAA55Q/Ti89UxMogpg/s400/pamjoe2012.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Joe Sudbay, 2012 Netroots Nation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cFoeF2E1SxM/VtD6qytUksI/AAAAAAAA55U/j3JyYLQg_bM/s1600/10.23.2015e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cFoeF2E1SxM/VtD6qytUksI/AAAAAAAA55U/j3JyYLQg_bM/s400/10.23.2015e.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Jeff Salado, October 2015; he gave me the Panda nickname.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Can't say much more than what you see here (and not taking questions, btw). Much is in flux.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
Bonus - the response (click over for comments) when I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pam.spaulding/posts/10154007229648092" target="_blank">posted this message on Facebook</a>:<br />
<br />
<div id="fb-root">
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<script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br />
<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/pam.spaulding/posts/10154007229648092" data-width="500">
<div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/pam.spaulding/posts/10154007229648092">
Just remember, even after putting in decades on the job...if you have a disability/chronic condition that requires...<br />
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pam.spaulding">Pam Spaulding</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pam.spaulding/posts/10154007229648092">Friday, February 26, 2016</a></blockquote>
<br />
Related:<br />
* <a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2014/04/life-changes-ra-drives-me-onto.html" target="_blank">Life changes -- RA drives me onto the professional off-ramp</a><br />
* <a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2014/02/latest-rheumatology-visit-fun-of.html" target="_blank">The fun of increasing joint damage and unsettling fatigue - "but you don't look sick"</a><br />
* <a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2013/11/made-it-celebrated-20-years-at-duke.html" target="_blank">Made it - Celebrated 20 years at Duke University Press...still no regrets about shutting down the Blend</a></div>
</div>
Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-39197648091344101432016-02-10T18:26:00.000-08:002016-02-10T18:26:28.303-08:00An Open Letter to GLAAD Regarding the 2016 Media Awards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mQaqCFXBNAM/VrvsMGjtGcI/AAAAAAAA41I/tojxR1cssfc/s1600/PamOct2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mQaqCFXBNAM/VrvsMGjtGcI/AAAAAAAA41I/tojxR1cssfc/s200/PamOct2015.jpg" width="143" /></a></div>
When GLAAD launched its "Outstanding Blog" category five years ago, it was a cultural marker that grassroots activists whose tool was their digital soapbox and journalism could be recognized for the vital role they played in moving the civil rights ball forward. Most bloggers truly were/are independent journalists -- working for little or no revenue or sponsorship, operating in the belief that grassroots knowledge is power, and that mainstream and LGBT media were missing local stories and not connecting the dots to see the disconnected between metro and political LGBTs and life out in flyover country.<br />
<br />
It was good to be nominated -- the Blend was one year, not a win but I felt honored nonetheless. I saw good work by my peers recognized. It's a field with a lot of work and little reward except making this world a little bit more informed by voices that are not normally part of the media as we know it. The grind to produce content day in and day out, particularly if you have another job to support your journalism, can take its toll. It's why <a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/p/about-pams-house-blend.html" target="_blank">I had to shutter PHB in 2013</a> after nearly a decade of intense production of commentary and first person journalism.<br />
<br />
This year the category is scrapped, or if you listen to GLAAD's statement -- consolidated. Blogs were now "elevated" to compete with sponsored, large media organizations and publications with actual budgets and payrolls. The end result? No independent citizen journalists are among the nominees. Any thinking. politically and socially aware person would figure this would be the end result. This error in judgment needs to be corrected. I signed on to the open letter below to register my dissatisfaction with GLAAD's decision. <br />
<br />
<hr />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">An Open Letter to GLAAD Regarding the 2016 Media Awards</span><br />
<br />
We, the undersigned, respectfully but strongly disagree with your decision to remove the category of ‘Outstanding Blog’ from the GLAAD Awards and with your rationalization behind this decision. <br />
<br />
LGBT blogs and independent media play a crucial role in relaying information, providing new and diverse voices, and bringing attention to LGBT issues that have been overlooked and omitted by the mainstream media. Bloggers are the last truly independent voices of lived LGBT experience, and those who undertake this task typically do so without pay or recognition. They don’t grace the cover of magazines. They don’t get book deals. They don’t win Oscars. What they accomplish through their sacrifice of time and energy is the proper dissemination of information which serves to make our community stronger and better educated. <br />
<br />
The ‘Outstanding Blog’ award bestowed by GLAAD was one of the few ways LGBT bloggers has been given their due. The idea that these voices will now have to compete with larger and more powerful news entities such as The New York Times, MSNBC and Buzzfeed is unfair and, frankly, humiliating. The elimination of the ‘Outstanding Blog’ category implies that unless one is a celebrity or affiliated with a publication with a high profile and finances to match, you are held without regard in the LGBT media landscape, or at least as GLAAD sees it. <br />
<br />
It is sadly ironic that GLAAD, an organization which prides itself on lifting up positive LGBT portrayals, has rendered grassroots LGBT voices invisible and unworthy of recognition. While an initial statement from GLAAD explained that bloggers are still welcome to compete with national outlets in other journalism categories, a simple fact speaks for itself: among the 2016 award nominees, there is not a single blog (or community-based LGBT outlet, for that matter) to be found anywhere on the list. The crucial voice of first-person LGBT voices has simply disappeared from the GLAAD Awards. This is a troubling message to send to the general public, to up-and-coming LGBT writers, and to the LGBT community itself. <br />
<br />
In the spirit of a community in which every voice is an asset in our march to full equality, we ask that the ‘Outstanding Blog’ category be fully reinstated immediately. Please conduct a nomination process at once so that this critical error might be rectified before your 2016 awards dinner. Also, announcing the winner of this category from the stage, unlike in year’s past, would also be a nice touch.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
<br />
Diane Anderson-Minshall<br />
CEO of Retrograde Communications & Editor in Chief of Plus Magazine<br />
Hivplusmag.com<br />
<br />
Bil Browning<br />
Founder of The Bilerico Project<br />
Bilerico.com <br />
2011, 2012 GLAAD Award Nominee<br />
<br />
JD Davids<br />
Managing Editor, TheBody.com<br />
<br />
Zack Ford<br />
LGBT Editor, ThinkProgress.org<br />
<br />
Michael Hamar<br />
Michael in Norfolk - Coming Out in Mid-Life<br />
Michael-In-Norfolk.blogspot.com<br />
<br />
Rebecca Juro<br />
Columnist, South Florida Gay News<br />
<br />
Mark S. King<br />
MyFabulousDisease.com<br />
2015 GLAAD Award Nominee<br />
<br />
Will Kohler<br />
Back2Stonewall.com<br />
<br />
Alvin McEwen<br />
Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters<br />
holybulliesandheadlessmonsters.blogspot.com<br />
2014, 2015 GLAAD Award Nominee<br />
<br />
Noah Michelson<br />
HuffPost Queer Voices<br />
Huffingtonpost.com/queer-voices<br />
<br />
Michael Rogers<br />
Netroots Connect<br />
lgbtnetrootsconnect.org<br />
<br />
Dana Rudolph<br />
Mombian.com<br />
2012 GLAAD Media Award Winner<br />
<br />
Michelangelo Signorile<br />
Sirius XM PROGRESS<br />
Signorile.com<br />
<br />
Pam Spaulding<br />
Pam’s House Blend<br />
PamSpaulding.net<br />
<br />
Joe Sudbay<br />
Longtime Blogger<br />
<br />
Berlin Sylvestre<br />
Editor, OUT FRONT Magazine<br />
<br />
Brynn Tannehill<br />
Independent Writer<br />
<br />
Daniel Villarreal<br />
Editor in Chief, Unicorn Booty<br />
UnicornBooty.com<br />
<br />
Ashton P. Woods<br />
Strength in Numbers<br />
ashtonpwoods.strengthinnumbershouston.com<br />
<br />
Sarah Toce<br />
Founder/Publisher, The Seattle Lesbian<br />
theseattlelesbian.com<br />
<br />
Dana Beyer<br />
Weekly Columnist<br />
Huffpost Queer VoicesPam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-52474264666065533452016-02-10T18:24:00.000-08:002016-02-10T18:31:32.750-08:00Is 'Winds of March' Steve Perry's best live performance?This article in Society of Rock "<a href="http://societyofrock.com/we-found-steve-perrys-greatest-performance-ever-and-it-will-stop-your-heart/" target="_blank">We Found Steve Perry's Greatest Performance Ever And It Will Stop Your Heart</a>," argues that the 1978 Chicago PBS Soundstage live Winds of March is Steve Perry's best live performance. Geez, I can't single out any one performance in this artist's body of work as "greatest." From the article:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Although it is bold to claim which of Steve Perry’s amazing live performances are the best, we would have to argue that his insanely pristine vocals and range in the 1978 Chicago “Winds Of March” is it.<br />
<br />
...From Journey’s fourth album, Infinity, “Winds Of March” proves to be one of the sweetest soft rock songs in existence about a parent experiencing the heart wrenching loss of a child. "<br />
<br />
Although there are hundreds of performances to choose from, this happens to be our favorite and most touching vision of the great Steve Perry. </blockquote>
I classify Steve Perry in three distinct vocal periods/quality: this is the pristine countertenor period, the 80s arena rock tenor heyday, and the very tour-damaged, dirt-in-the-vox, but talented latter period in late 80s to 1996. I love each period because he learned to adapt as his voice changed, but what remained constant is his ear for melody, tonal excellence, convincing emotion, judicious use of melisma, a base rooted in Sam Cooke, and that vibrato.<br />
<br />
I agree that this is an incredible example of his range, power, clarity, and emotive qualities. It almost makes you weep listening to the disciplined note production, the controlled vibrato, the ease with which he delivers an extremely difficult song. It is beautiful to behold.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GR9q9_c08Q4" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
<b>This song is a Mount Everest for any tribute singer.</b> It's so way up there, unearthly, practically unachievable. Even Perry stopped performing it after it was effectively replaced by Mother/Father as the vocal show stopper in 1981. <br />
<br />
People need to remember that most of the recorded official (and unofficial on YouTube and boots) show SP at his best. As he is a human being, his gift wasn't "on" every night. You can find some YouTubes where he's dodging notes, doing brilliant substitutions but staying faithful to the song's intent and emotion. The hallmark of a great vocalist is one who learns how to work with the tools in his vocal toolbox on any given night on the fly.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LPagjmR_eKg/Vrvwc48JjJI/AAAAAAAA41g/34g0-lOIUNo/s1600/jeffvictorville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LPagjmR_eKg/Vrvwc48JjJI/AAAAAAAA41g/34g0-lOIUNo/s200/jeffvictorville.jpg" width="76" /></a>That's where I have to give props to tribute singers like my bud (and colleague) <a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/p/bios.html#Jeff" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Jeff Salado</a>, of <a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/" target="_blank"><b>Journey Revisited</b></a>. All of these singers attempt to emulate Steve Perry at his BEST consistently night after night in front of casual fans of Journey to die-hards like myself. Keeping the Perry era of live performance authentic is a tall order indeed. The demand is there to hear these great compositions performed live with fidelity to original sound.<br />
<br />
Check out discussion on this topic in two Facebook groups:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/159671711668/permalink/10153318433396669/" target="_blank">" THE " JOURNEY JUNKIES- JJ's</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/170618749739236/permalink/696428153824957/" target="_blank">Steve Perry The Voice, and everything else,LOL</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7J53AThkUNI/VrvuYSpKQVI/AAAAAAAA41U/uLqDB8zrM1Y/s1600/pandaemoji2png.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="40" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7J53AThkUNI/VrvuYSpKQVI/AAAAAAAA41U/uLqDB8zrM1Y/s200/pandaemoji2png.png" width="40" /></a>Panda (Pam Spaulding)<br />
Digital Presence - Team JR<br />
<a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/">http://www.journeyrevisited.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/JourneyRevisited/">http://www.facebook.com/JourneyRevisited/</a>Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-62403921924782421752015-10-28T07:33:00.001-07:002015-11-17T15:46:21.444-08:00The frontman's journey - Jeff Salado recreates the Steve Perry experience for Journey Revisited<b><i>By <a href="http://pamspaulding.net/" target="_blank">Pam Spaulding</a> ("Panda", JR Team Captain)</i></b><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Originally published 12/11/2014, updated 11/13/2015)</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></i>The stellar timeless songwriting, musicianship, harmonies and tenor-based vocals of Journey are easily recognizable, embedded in cultural references, and are celebrated by millions. Many are enamored of not only the hits, but the deep cuts and varied textures and genres that the band dared to dip into over the decades -- blues, R&B, rock, and pop. It’s no surprise that among those who grew up with the iconic music are now musicians and vocalists inspired to pay tribute to Journey by performing the work live -- including the members of <b><a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/" target="_blank">Journey Revisited</a></b>.<br />
<br />
Journey Revisited's lead singer <b><a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/p/bios.html#Jeff" target="_blank">Jeff Salado</a></b> asked me what I thought about seeing the band for the first time live -- when I came out to California in November 2014.<br />
<br />
With experience as a journalist, photographer, and videographer, I decided to give him feedback/insight that he was unlikely receive from the average concert-goer. What was surprising is that once he read it, he asked me to recast what was a private email into an article because he wanted to share with you all what it's like to perform through my lens as a writer, a fan and good friend.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fN41fhFgJYA/Vi_LH3zvI2I/AAAAAAAAvtw/Pd7eOPwYlX0/s1600/pj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fN41fhFgJYA/Vi_LH3zvI2I/AAAAAAAAvtw/Pd7eOPwYlX0/s320/pj.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Prior to that November <a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/2014/11/black-oak-casino-was-rocked-hard.html" target="_blank"><b>Black Oak Casino performance</b></a>, I had only seen Jeff onstage via video. where it's clear that he has great stage presence and stagecraft -- he interacts with fans, and connects them to the music of Journey. I did, however, have the good fortune to spend time with him prior to the concert, hanging out in his environment -- seeing the offstage Jeff Salado.<br />
<br />
Most fans never get to interact with that Jeff - the goofy, funny, nerdy, lovable guy who's also capable of conversations of great intellectual depth and thoughtfulness. A dude who loves talking Journey from the perspective of a singer (of course), muscle cars of all brands and styles, boxing, history, science and classic TV. Jeff possesses a noggin full of useless trivia like myself that makes conversations incredibly interesting. That guy isn't on stage.<br />
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The joy in live performance is imperfection, the choices of the artist ensures that each performance is uniquely owned and delivered to the audience is a key goal. Audiences continue to seek out the golden tones, the rich warmth and raw emotive draw that Steve Perry evoked during his tenure with Journey. The tribute bands yearn to satisfy that thirst for melodic sound that moves fans of Journey’s classic album oriented rock.<br />
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The challenge for Jeff Salado, a huge Perry and Journey fan, is to keep that level of quality, fidelity and emotion pouring forth each gig to connect with the music and channel that energy to ardent fans of the aural benchmark set by Steve Perry.<br />
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So my presence at Black Oak as a working professional (to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.760843583987810.1073741854.151125618292946&type=3" target="_blank">capture photos</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=762619453810223&set=vb.151125618292946&type=3&theater" target="_blank">video</a>) allowed me unique access to observe passively on multiple levels. After the show, I had <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JourneyRevisited/photos/a.196487563756751.49397.151125618292946/761841677221334/?type=1" target="_blank">a lot to say about that experience</a>, but not in detail, or with a critical eye. So here's my perspective on the Journey Revisited lead singer...what you see and experience is more than meets the eye.<br />
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<b>The Professional Jeff</b><br />
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This is the serious guy you see at the venue working on sound check, trying out an ear monitor, or the green room discussing band plans for the year. He's quite relaxed but carries a level of command of the room that telegraphs business. After all, this is a job for all of them. They are all conscious of wanting to be at their best to please the audiences that eagerly await hearing classic Journey.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-taNnF1OdQ2s/VIoorACFvbI/AAAAAAAAaEI/UsLMjrjYlYE/s1600/profile5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-taNnF1OdQ2s/VIoorACFvbI/AAAAAAAAaEI/UsLMjrjYlYE/s1600/profile5.jpg" width="400" /></a>It's also reflected in the photos in the Green Room. You'll notice that the other guys are relaxed, focusing on their own warm up routines, but Jeff's presence set the tone for the evening, loose but mindful of the task at hand, for instance, inquiring about adding songs to the roster for the next year, and how the band can accomplish learning them by tour time.<br />
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There were a couple of unusual circumstances that night -- I was introducing the band on stage, and they were celebrating guitarist Val Popovic's birthday. So Jeff and Val were holding court in discussions, considering whether to sing a version of "Lights" based on the studio recording or a live version.<br />
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Jeff's ability to stay motivated in adverse conditions is remarkable; that night at Black Oak was an unusual perfect storm to vex a vocalist -- the smoke in the casino was overwhelming due to a group that arrived and proceeded to smoke out the capacity of the air system to clear it out. Cigarette smoke flowed freely into the concert venue space.<br />
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It's enough to shake any vocalist - the issue became so problematic that Jeff, during the performance, twice asked me to retrieve lozenges from the dressing room in a valiant attempt to keep his vox from being affected by the smoke. Everyone in the venue was feeling the horrible burn. It is also not surprising how well Jeff pushed past it, making slight vocal changes and choices to accommodate the uncertainty of his ability to deliver certain notes -- a hallmark of a self-aware vocalist. Jeff's had to endure enough uncertainties and frustrations and always forged ahead as the professional that he is. But he has remained humble.<br />
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It's rare for an artist to talk about an off-night; it's a vulnerability that many won't admit to. But the reality is that we're only human; and Jeff wanted me to share that it's something he's not ashamed of; we all have days where we come up short for whatever reason. It's no different for entertainers -- their skills and performance are dependent on tissues that get strained by smoke or hurt by allergies. The show must go on.<br />
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And consistency is key to any tribute band. After all, JR has to perform gig after gig to represent the peak of Journey live. Even that stellar band had off nights. Journey Revisited has to replicate landmark sounds such as the 1981 Live in Houston concert that Jeff models some of his Perry vox from. This consistency is why<b><a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/2015/10/tonight-journey-revisited-up-for-best.html" target="_blank"> JR won a coveted Modesto Area Music Award for Best Blue Collar/Cover Band in 2015</a></b>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1BfFfmraXI/VifSgpAxxUI/AAAAAAAAuME/rCoZyb4lpzQ/s1600/win03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1BfFfmraXI/VifSgpAxxUI/AAAAAAAAuME/rCoZyb4lpzQ/s400/win03.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">David Hawkes (drums), Jeff Salado, and Val Popovic (guitar) picked up the MAMA at the<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Modesto Area Music Awards for Best Blue Collar/Cover Band. Oct 20, 2015</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>The Onstage Jeff</b><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iZzG2QFxMLQ/Vi_SoPgEQEI/AAAAAAAAvuY/FWG3Lo_k-rc/s1600/monterey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iZzG2QFxMLQ/Vi_SoPgEQEI/AAAAAAAAvuY/FWG3Lo_k-rc/s320/monterey.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
This aspect of Jeff Salado will be familiar to many of you. My first reaction to seeing him onstage in person (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=762613100477525&fref=nf" target="_blank">after doing the band intro</a> I had to quickly get offstage and get down in the venue to see the rest of Escape) was<b> "WOW</b>." Hearing his voice live with my own ears -- it was literally going from mono to stereo for me, and I was having a hard time concentrating on my photography during that number; I had to keep stopping to look up at Jeff to reconcile what I was hearing with seeing him up there on stage with the guy I just had lunch with, cutting up with friends.<br />
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And, as I mentioned above, I saw him on what he considered an off-night because of the smoke affecting his breathing, challenging him when hitting/holding certain notes that he normally does with ease. He also was mindful about some mistakes in timing on certain songs.<br />
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These are things the vast majority of people in the audience didn't notice or care about. But the perfectionists of Journey Revisited always want to deliver 110%, Jeff included. For Jeff that means focusing on his stagecraft and appearance as well -- he told me<b>, "<i>it's not only the music, it's how it's being presented and looking our best and feeling our best is doing our best</i>."</b><br />
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For me, imperfections are part of the beauty of live performance though; you're seeing the marvel of the gift of the human voice, a fragile instrument with miraculous ability to produce sounds so rousing, so moving. Not everyone is as blessed with the physical goods to produce the notes that Steve Perry did, but to have the skill of controlling that instrument to project sound with such clarity and power and emotion is one of Jeff Salado's natural gifts that he works hard to hone for the audience.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p__0tGgcgLU/Vi_PHX0hqoI/AAAAAAAAvuM/buw1tU4CWcs/s1600/jeff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p__0tGgcgLU/Vi_PHX0hqoI/AAAAAAAAvuM/buw1tU4CWcs/s400/jeff.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Jeff Hall</i></td></tr>
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The band digs deep to deliver no matter what the conditions are.<br />
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The Journey catalog is already a high bar to clear instrumentally; and the Bay Area arena rock supergroup’s era that is the most in demand to hear live is the Steve Perry years (1978-1996). Gig after gig, those classic, stratospheric vocals have to be recreated at an almost impossible standard -- one that even Steve Perry couldn’t reproduce consistently live, simply because we’re talking about the human voice.<br />
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The difficulty of being a lead singer is that you can't replace pipes like guitar strings and every night, every venue is different environment. The one thing I wish for, as part of the band's support infrastructure, is that I lived closer to see JR live more frequently to enjoy the uniqueness of each performance, the nuances, the choices made (I live in NC).<br />
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<b>The "It" Factor</b><br />
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It makes for a more informative piece to discuss this section not in a cheerleader "isn't Jeff cute and he sings great" review. It means so much more to describe how the performances work, and how that the forces align to deliver a special experience for fans, casual and die hards alike.<br />
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For me, seeing Jeff the performer up there, the offstage Jeff ceases to exist; this onstage Jeff delivers a huge dose of liquid mojo out there for the audience to drink in. What is it?<br />
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* <b>Vox</b> - His pipes are amazing; I could hear that despite the challenges that night at Black Oak. One video, I watched over and over afterwards, was <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=762619453810223&set=vb.151125618292946&type=3&theater" target="_blank">Too Late</a></b> because his vocals speak to me in that song, and the band is so tight on it. I think many fans find the sweet spots in their favorite Journey songs that Jeff sings that you walk away wanting more. His range, his power, and his strong Perry-like vibrato and tone are what sets him apart from other Journey tribute singers.<br />
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He also shares with Perry a gifted fine ear for pitch -- hearing the notes with clarity and able to reproduce accurately on demand. That takes much more work than what average people can accomplish without major effort, but it is second nature to the Journey Revisited vocalist.<br />
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<a href="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/pspauld/Journey%20Revisited/jeff_zpsvwuggucx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/pspauld/Journey%20Revisited/jeff_zpsvwuggucx.jpg" height="400" width="277" /></a><br />
After a gig, Jeff always has singers and vocal coaches come up to ask how he does it. But sometimes it really looks like he isn’t really thinking about it. They have no idea that Jeff has zero formal training, and employs no regular routine to maintain those golden pipes. He’s like a car that never needs an oil change.<br />
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<b><i>"I have NO regimen, I'm pretty much a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants singer."</i></b><br />
<i>-- Journey Revisited lead singer Jeff Salado, on whether he has regular routines to maintain his voice</i><br />
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But he knows that to preserve what he has will take more work down the line.<br />
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One thing that is quite noticeably different about Jeff in comparison to Steve Perry is his speaking voice. Perry in older interviews has an almost alto, soft voice; Jeff is most definitely a baritone and a harmonious, deep resonant one at that. It's immensely pleasing, though it's not called upon for the Journey catalog. He would make a great DJ...<br />
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* <b>Emotive ability</b> - He puts himself into the song; Jeff has the ability to "perform" emotion even when he's not feeling it that night. Even though I knew he was having a rough go of it (i.e., the lozenges run), when I would watch him, I felt the songs, I felt the resonance and connection to them. That's a hallmark of a pro.<br />
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* <b>Physical performance</b>: Jeff gives it all onstage -- often at his own expense in post-gig pain. I know he wishes he could jump off the riser every night, but no one takes the Perryisms and runs with them in spades like he does. He projects a significant bodycon (body confidence) onstage.<br />
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JR fans are roused by the music as Jeff performs the classic hits no longer covered by Journey proper in concert. He brings not only the essence of Perry's notable energy to the stage, but Jeff (and his many female fans aren't hearing any news here) brings a considerable dose of his own mojo that he naturally projects and and overlays on top of it. It's why he has such a tremendous...<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/N6YxzC_2PVUDpl98OwWdyNtXLbe--e65aMkCE0LgDUqRdqBNNg_nPNvOr9NbgkWCv07vgfUlItQkRHSN_l_j66O1OAGlhcoCnSmC9QzfrofjnqpUu8bLBnv-dp93e6g8fvGV3i2NYbgDI_lmQFZA5A" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=" photo Jeffconnect_zps7n9uypkl.gif" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/pspauld/Journey%20Revisited/Jeffconnect_zps7n9uypkl.gif" height="300" width="400" /></a>* <b>Audience connection</b> - If you were standing near that stage, which I often was, I was bowled over at how dynamic and powerfully he draws people to him. When he looks directly at people during a song that energy flows to them, and reflects back. It's exciting to experience.<br />
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<b>Several times he looked at me as he does to people in the audience all the time</b>. When I saw the images, as I was going through the 800+ shots taken during the show, I could actually recall that energy. It's why audiences come back, and want to come back. He connects as an artist.<br />
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Jeff on what he is trying to project:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>"<i>I want people to feel special because they are; when they go home after a JR concert, I want them to feel that there was a connection directly with me in the hope that we'll see them at our next concert. We do everything we can to make each show even better.</i>"</b></blockquote>
After a decade of covering public figures and politicians for a <a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/p/about-pams-house-blend.html" target="_blank">nationally read, influential political blog</a>, I can honestly say<i> I've seen few people onstage or out in the political realm with the kind mojo Jeff Salado has</i>. Jeff has the ability to make everyone else in the room disappear when he looks at you. <i>You feel like you are the center of his universe, with undivided attention, whether it is for a few seconds, or a few minutes of conversation</i>. He makes that person feel special in some way. There's no way to create it or recreate it. This is priceless when interacting with fans after a gig. He gives it all in those moments.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L9BY_oFXgY8/Vi_MA_uL2DI/AAAAAAAAvt4/nLrdic8TETk/s1600/valjeff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L9BY_oFXgY8/Vi_MA_uL2DI/AAAAAAAAvt4/nLrdic8TETk/s400/valjeff.jpg" width="400" /></a>I've had discussions with Jeff -- amusing ones at times -- about this energy and its impact on women. It's there onstage, but it's also there when he's still in stage persona and interacting with people of all persuasions. He obviously knows how to turn on the considerable natural charm, but it's that extra something special that just flows from him that is non-denominational -- many rock stars have it like Steve Perry, Mick Jagger, and Robert Plant. But he projects it earnestly and with approachability.<br />
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Many in the audience can feel that energy from an artist, but they just can't quite put a finger on why they are drawn to that person onstage or articulate it, in this case that mojo's coming from a Journey tribute band singer named Jeff Salado. He has "It" and knows how to use it, whether innately or that he's developed it over the years through self-awareness of it.<br />
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Since that Black Oak concert, I've worked with the band at gigs at the <a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/2015/03/covina-gives-journey-revisited-standing.html" target="_blank"><b>Covina Center for the Performing Arts</b></a> (Los Angeles in a theatre venue), Victorville (the <a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/2015/06/it-was-hot-and-windy-evening-in.html" target="_blank"><b>San Bernardino County Fair</b></a> on a huge pro-production outdoor stage), and in San Jose at <a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/2015/10/journey-revisited-throws-it-down-at.html" target="_blank"><b>Rockbar</b></a>, a 1,000-capacity nightclub with a pro-level lighting/sound environment). They throw it down in every venue and provide huge opportunities to capture dynamic photos, audio and video for fans who don't have the ability to attend.<br />
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Like Perry, Jeff walks a tightrope each gig without a net, no Auto Tune, no lip sync. And the songs are not dropped a half-step, they are performed in the merciless standard E tuning. It's Jeff’s vocal instrument out there, often without support for adequate rest, or experiencing weather conditions at gigs where temperatures may exceed 120 F onstage, as was the case at <a href="http://fandalism.com/jrnyjeff/dGV1" target="_blank"><b>Kings Fair</b> in Hanford, California in June 2015</a>. And that is the story of so many vocalists at the working tribute band level. And unlike Perry, who as the originator of these songs had the latitude to try alternate interpretations live, tribute singers like Jeff Salado have to pick a live or studio version that is familiar to the audience and try to match it, note-for-note each time.<br />
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I told Jeff to read this from time to time to remind himself what sets him apart as a performer and professional from so many others. You'll have to weigh in to share your thoughts about what Jeff brings to a Journey Revisited performance.<br />
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And thank you, Jeff, for being so willing to open up and share!<br />
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<i>--Panda</i><br />
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Panda health progress update! Still losing...and trying to find a few new pieces of clothing that will 1. Stay up. 2. Fit some kind of way as I drop the last 25 lbs.<br />
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So Saturday I went into Kohls, and needed a light sweater because I have been so cold intolerant, and saw a nice one in the Juniors section.<br />
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Shock #1: I picked up an XL (I have no clue what Juniors size that is, maybe a 13?) and said "this will never fit." I pull it over my dang rack and IT FIT. It was $17, so I got it.<br />
Shock #2: Just for giggles I go over to the Juicy jeans section. Let's try on some pants. I eyeball a pair that roughly looks like it MIGHT fit, might be too small, not looking at the size. Get in the fitting room and THEY FIT. Not quite right though, wrong cut for me. Too loose in the legs, and too snug in the waist so they went back on the rack. BUT THEY WERE A SIZE 10! Unreal. I started out on this journey a 22.<br />
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Seriously, I still look in the mirror and don't see someone that small. But this week a photo turned up in my feed (Autumn and Laurel, sorry I cropped you on this one!), and it reminded me very starkly what I looked like five years ago. Big change from that time (61 lbs heavier then), but I will never be petite, mind you. And that's ok.Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-40017782320099675372015-07-14T05:45:00.002-07:002015-07-14T05:45:43.639-07:00Journey Revisited's 'Just the Same Way' video montage highlights July 18 benefit gig at State Theatre<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EnmmsYAc7EE/VaUD0CMkzlI/AAAAAAAAkKI/qlCdx4xFaDQ/s1600/state%2Btheatre3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EnmmsYAc7EE/VaUD0CMkzlI/AAAAAAAAkKI/qlCdx4xFaDQ/s400/state%2Btheatre3.jpg" width="420" /></a><br />
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We put together a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JourneyRevisited/videos/896110770461090/?pnref=story" target="_blank">montage</a> of unreleased Journey Revisited video footage from the March 20 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.831046816967486.1073741863.151125618292946&type=3" target="_blank">Covina</a> and May 30 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.871569076248593.1073741871.151125618292946&type=3" target="_blank">San Bernardino County Fair</a> gigs, along with photos to accompany the band's spot-on rendition of "Just the Same Way" for you. It's for the upcoming benefit at the State Theatre in Modesto, CA. The guys are going to kick it for a great cause on Saturday night! Rock on, Jeff, Val, David, Michael, and Kevin...<br />
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<div class="fb-video" data-allowfullscreen="1" data-href="/JourneyRevisited/videos/vb.151125618292946/896110770461090/?type=1"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/JourneyRevisited/videos/896110770461090/"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JourneyRevisited/videos/896110770461090/">Journey Revisited - State Theatre Gig Promo Montage - Just the...</a><br />
Journey Revisited - 7/18/2015 State Theatre Gig Promo Montage - Just the Same Way. JR Videos, stills and information to highlight the benefit for the Center for Human Services at the State Theatre presented by the DB Project. Montage, vids, pics by Pam Spaulding of Team JR.Tickets are $25, purchase online: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/JRatStateTheatre">http://tinyurl.com/JRatStateTheatre</a>; or call the State Theatre box office at 209-526-1476.<br />
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JourneyRevisited">Journey Revisited</a> on Tuesday, July 14, 2015</blockquote></div></div><br />
<b>Journey Revisited is:</b><br />
<a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/p/bios.html#Jeff" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Jeff Salado</a>, Lead Vocals<br />
<a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/p/bios.html#Val" target="_blank"><b>Val Popovic</b></a>, Lead Guitar & Vocals;<br />
<a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/p/bios.html#Kevin" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Kevin Jachetta</a>, Keyboards, Keytar, Guitar, & Vocals;<br />
<a href="http://www.jrnyrevisited.com/p/bios.html#Mike"><b>Michael Gonzales</b></a>, Bass & Vocals;<br />
<a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/p/bios.html#Dave" target="_blank"><b>Dave Hawkes</b></a>, Drums/Percussion.Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-49157074144890106612015-07-10T15:19:00.003-07:002015-07-10T15:20:59.836-07:00Watching the mane go bye-bye...thanks methotrexate.I'm grateful for the medications I take for rheumatoid arthritis that allow me to continue to work and be productive -- and in manageable pain most of the time. And I definitely feel the difference when I skip methotrexate and Orencia. After about 4 days I start to slow down, all my joints hurting, the fatigue is incredible. It's like night and day.<br />
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Methotrexate is a drug cancer patients are given, but is taken a much reduced dose for those battling RA. It's pretty toxic and many cannot tolerate it, but it does reduce inflammation. I had terrible trouble with the oral version. Since I moved to injectible, I've had fewer tummy side effects, but both versions did a number on me.<br />
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For all the positives in controlling pain, the one side effect that is demoralizing and humiliating is <b>watching my hair thin and fall out</b>. My locs, which I've been growing since 2000, have been a source of comfort and pride, having cultivated them from two-strand twists and locked and maintained them on my own (no, I wasn't going to pay anyone to do what I could learn to do myself!) for all these years.<br />
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What I couldn't stop was the horror of locs simply dropping out in the shower, and my hair thinning. I cried numerous times. What is happening to me?<br />
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I always liked wearing hats, it was kind of part of my look, but now wearing hats became a necessity. The only time I didn't wear one is if I had my hair up in a pony tail and had a headband on, which helped hide the thinning...a bit.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c8eKvTM2W_E/VaBDtrycUXI/AAAAAAAAkB8/xJ3tBN6ObV8/s1600/hairloss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c8eKvTM2W_E/VaBDtrycUXI/AAAAAAAAkB8/xJ3tBN6ObV8/s400/hairloss.jpg" width="430" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the left - you can see how thin it is today; on the right with a hat and single pony. <br />
And in the middle, the lush locs of the past (2011).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But here we are in 2015, and it's just grinding me that the medicine that keeps me able is taking its toll...on my vanity. I'm actually not that self-conscious otherwise, for whatever reason. For instance, I've been on a health regimen that has resulted in a weight loss of over 50 lbs so far (30 more to go!), but I was not shy about being a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150244562978092.368864.555078091&type=1&l=b91da55067" target="_blank">plus size fashionista </a>at times, lol. The weight loss is obviously something I feel good about, since I feel better and look better overall. But for all that, losing my hair I don't have much control over and it vexes me.<br />
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I guess self-acceptance at any size, and with any beauty deficits is something to ponder. Is my hair that important in the scheme of things? Could I shave it all off again? I had a short natural back in the 90s (see the slideshow for a pic from that era), but I would feel naked without my locs. Would I start them over again? Who knows. <br />
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I just know it hurts to lose them, and a part of me mourns every day I try to style them knowing what "used to be."<br />
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But my health means more. <br />
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Slideshow of the various lengths and thicknesses of my hair during its loc phase...<br />
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<iframe height="360" src="http://s2.photobucket.com/user/pspauld/embed/slideshow/BlogPix/Headshots/Hair2" width="430"></iframe><br />
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Related:<br /><br />
* <a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2009/01/my-hair-journey.html" target="_blank">My hair journey</a> (all those styles!)Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-85001967283662844692015-07-03T16:28:00.000-07:002015-07-03T16:28:09.025-07:00Spend the 4th of July Weekend with Journey Revisited in Livingston and Marin County!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RxX9h0RC504/VYIHNis3fCI/AAAAAAAAjW8/dtww3SIMiDU/s400/10257293_881974311874736_5374026587474829216_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RxX9h0RC504/VYIHNis3fCI/AAAAAAAAjW8/dtww3SIMiDU/s320/10257293_881974311874736_5374026587474829216_o.jpg" /></a>Why not rock out on Saturday and Sunday with Journey Revisited and you'll get fireworks and a slamming gig of classic Journey songs by the best trib in the business!<br />
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First up on Saturday is the <a href="http://livingston4thofjuly.com/" target="_blank"><b>Livingston 4th of July Festival</b></a>, 2600 Walnut Ave, Livingston, CA 95336. JR will rock the house starting at 10 PM. Carnival Tickets are 50% in Advance. Unlimited ride wristbands are $20 in advance. FOR MORE INFO CALL 209-394-8830.<br />
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JOURNEY REVISITED VIP TABLE $250 Table for 6 includes 1 Bucket of Beer...<br />
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If you want a cool souvenir of the Festival, T-Shirts are available, and Journey Revisited's listed on the back! <br />
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On Sunday, we have great news -- a last-minute addition to the calendar -- JR got the call to open for Aaron Neville at the award-winning <b>Marin County Fair</b>. Now in its 74th year, the Fair reflects Marin County in all of its colorful traditions and innovations.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_oSCIi3M1E/VZcJVjqqPwI/AAAAAAAAj1o/dY7QGcI6Nns/s1600/fbeventblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="115" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_oSCIi3M1E/VZcJVjqqPwI/AAAAAAAAj1o/dY7QGcI6Nns/s400/fbeventblog.jpg" width="400" /></a>The show is at 3:00 PM PT, at the Island Tent. Address: <a href="http://www.mapquest.com/maps?address=10+Avenue+Of+The+Flags&city=San+Rafael&state=CA&zipcode=94903&redirect=true" target="_blank">10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael, CA 94903</a>.<br />
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<b><a href="http://tickets.marincenter.org/mobile/Performance.asp?Performance=2665#&ui-state=dialog" target="_blank">TICKETS</a></b>: Advance: $15 Adults 13–64, $12 Children 4–12; $12 Seniors 65+. At the gate: $20 Adults 13–64; $15 Children 4–12; $15 Seniors 65+. Reserved concert admission is $50 per person and includes Fair admission and reserved seating in a special section.<br />
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A little taste of JR from its recent gig at the San Bernardino County Fair in Victorville, CA:<br />
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<blockquote cite="/JourneyRevisited/videos/878015978937236/">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/JourneyRevisited/videos/878015978937236/">Journey Revisited - Separate Ways - Victorville 2015</a><br />
JR rocks Separate Ways at the San Bernardino County Fair, May 30, 2015.<br />
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JourneyRevisited">Journey Revisited</a> on Thursday, June 11, 2015</blockquote>
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Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-70346047376236711582015-04-30T09:46:00.002-07:002015-04-30T09:48:53.659-07:00Journey Revisited to throw it down at the legendary Viper Room on May 15!<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TDEuXeSCfz4/VTgXLxPNZQI/AAAAAAAAhas/79QW4TvFwm8/s1600/the%2Bviper%2Broom.jpg" height="173" width="320" /></div>
Hollywood here they come - <b>Journey Revisited</b> brings its tribute to the Bay Area album-oriented rock band to <a href="http://viperroom.com/" target="_blank">The Viper Room</a> on May 15, 9PM PDT (<a href="http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=5824935&pl=alaviper2" target="_blank"><b>tickets here</b></a>).<br />
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In March, the band had a <a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/2015/03/covina-gives-journey-revisited-standing.html" target="_blank">three-night, standing-room-only gig at the Covina Center Of The Performing Arts</a> -- SOLD OUT -- and they are poised to do it again at The Viper Room.<br />
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JR gives its audience an uncannily accurate tribute to the "Perry and Rolie" sound and style without pre-recorded backing tracks or digital vocal enhancements.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PITZjRoyNZU/VT8RPRdNmiI/AAAAAAAAhdc/7K9QiHXQhkI/s1600/ViperPromoReviseda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PITZjRoyNZU/VT8RPRdNmiI/AAAAAAAAhdc/7K9QiHXQhkI/s1600/ViperPromoReviseda.jpg" height="306" width="400" /></a></div>
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Journey Revisited delivers that organic live sound and audiences are always leave a concert ready to rock with the band again.<br />
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</b> <b>Every gig in 2015 so far as been a SOLD OUT event! And The Viper Room...let's pack the house</b>!<br />
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<b>Journey Revisited is:</b><br />
<a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/p/bios.html#Jeff" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Jeff Salado</a>, Lead Vocals<br />
<a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/p/bios.html#Val" target="_blank"><b>Val Popovic</b></a>, Lead Guitar & vocals;<br />
<a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/p/bios.html#Kevin" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Kevin Jachetta</a>, Keyboards, Keytar, Guitar, & vocals;<br />
<a href="http://www.jrnyrevisited.com/p/bios.html#Mike"><b>Michael Gonzales</b></a>, Bass & vocals;<br />
<a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/p/bios.html#Dave" target="_blank"><b>Dave Hawkes</b></a>, Drums/Percussion.<br />
<br />
<img alt=" photo zvYeXDi_zpsthdk36c2.jpg" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/pspauld/Journey%20Revisited/March%2020%20to%2022%202015%20Covina/zvYeXDi_zpsthdk36c2.jpg" width="425" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=5824935&pl=alaviper2" target="_blank">General Admission $10.00</a> 21+. 8852 W. Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069; 310-358-1881.<br />
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<b>Booked by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ReeseEntertainment" target="_blank">Reese Entertainment, 209-585-7447</a></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who's Crying Now (Victorville 2014)</span><br />
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<iframe height="280" src="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_5JOXdxZSvMckNOX2FYUndpajQ/preview" width="400"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin' / Any Way You Want It (Victorville 2014)</span><br />
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<iframe height="280" src="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_5JOXdxZSvMNDd2eEZBcTMzSXc/preview" width="400"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just The Same Way" - Journey & Journey Revisited Mashup</span><br />
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<iframe height="280" src="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_5JOXdxZSvMY1Rma3JpcF9ZWFU/preview" width="420"></iframe><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TCvAw4wevcI/VTgTUrnBMaI/AAAAAAAAhag/5n7HhLVK3eQ/s1600/JOURNEY%2BREVISITED%2BPROMO%2B425.jpg" height="239" width="320" /><br />
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<iframe height="360" src="http://s2.photobucket.com/user/pspauld/embed/slideshow/Journey%20Revisited/March%2020%20to%2022%202015%20Covina" width="480"></iframe><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Journey Revisited is available for media engagements:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Email: </span><a href="mailto:press@journeyrevisited.com" style="color: #835ea5; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">press@journeyrevisited.com</span></a></div>
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Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-10342389883706020182015-03-11T12:00:00.002-07:002015-03-11T12:00:22.551-07:00Got your tickets for Journey Revisited's hot three-day L.A.-area gig at Covina?JR's original two-day gig, March 20-21 -- its first tour in the Los Angeles area -- at the Covina Center for the Performing Arts had such strong advance sales that a third show, on Sunday the 22nd, was added by the venue! Journey Revisited lead singer Jeff Salado <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JourneyRevisited/photos/a.196487563756751.49397.151125618292946/826958090709692/?type=1" target="_blank">is stoked:</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"With the show in Covina Ca coming up and nearly all 3 days are sold out, who's bought and paid for tickets to come see JR at Covina Center for the Performing Arts, March 20-22</i>?"</blockquote>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FqRsvwmnB58/VQAEqt8Nf3I/AAAAAAAAfOE/Yv3Rg_G5Ymg/s1600/jeffpromo.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FqRsvwmnB58/VQAEqt8Nf3I/AAAAAAAAfOE/Yv3Rg_G5Ymg/s640/jeffpromo.jpg" /></a><br />
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It's going to be a blast -- everyone is looking forward to seeing JR die-hards and to meet new fans during this series of gigs. See you there!<br />
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Info: <a href="http://www.covinacenter.com/" target="_blank">http://www.covinacenter.com/</a><br />
Tickets $20/$30. Order here: <a href="http://goo.gl/e4xbHZ">http://goo.gl/e4xbHZ</a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bIbJR1jVaKs/VPaaJ5jVv-I/AAAAAAAAfAI/7BSIlecaN3s/s1600/covina3flyer.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bIbJR1jVaKs/VPaaJ5jVv-I/AAAAAAAAfAI/7BSIlecaN3s/s400/covina3flyer.png" width="420/" /></a>Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-28642209088600138342015-03-03T09:27:00.004-08:002015-03-05T19:14:14.231-08:00JR heads to L.A.: 1 night of Covina 2-nighter already sold out. Want a 3rd show?<b><span style="color: red;">UPDATE</span></b>! It's official - there will be a third show on Sunday! Show up in full force and rock out to the Journey classics the way you want them!<br />
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The word is out - the best Journey tribute band is hitting the L.A. area this month - <b><a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/" target="_blank">Journey Revisited</a></b> will play the <b>Covina Center For Performing Arts </b>on March 20-21 (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1617637975122854/?ref=5" target="_blank">Fri</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/432663796891210/?ref=5" target="_blank">Sat</a>). <b><span style="color: red;">The Friday gig is already sold out</span></b> with Saturday selling fast (<a href="https://www.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?t=tix&e=dfde3a10382c10888f3dc72ef1ee85a2" target="_blank">buy your tix here</a>).<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GyjgkwhbF6g/VPXq7Qy3mdI/AAAAAAAAe-E/S0hrZ7gkKbY/s1600/covina2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GyjgkwhbF6g/VPXq7Qy3mdI/AAAAAAAAe-E/S0hrZ7gkKbY/s400/covina2.jpg" width="420/" /></a><br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">The big news - if Saturday <a href="https://www.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?t=tix&e=dfde3a10382c10888f3dc72ef1ee85a2" target="_blank">sells out</a>, the venue will add a third show!</span></b> So faithful JR fans, this is exciting. Click <a href="http://www.covinacenter.com/2015-SEASON.html" target="_blank">here</a> for more info. JR fans on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JourneyRevisited" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/JRNYrevisited" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, spread the word by sharing this graphic about Covina!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OmtCw_ZhlUM/VPXrXusKDnI/AAAAAAAAe-U/MBPtwP9Qp40/s1600/covina.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OmtCw_ZhlUM/VPXrXusKDnI/AAAAAAAAe-U/MBPtwP9Qp40/s400/covina.jpg" width="420/" /></a><br />
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We'll see you there rocking out - let's get that third show...<br />
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By the way, how good is JR at recreating the classic sound? <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_5JOXdxZSvMdGd2MEE0VE1BWGc/edit" target="_blank">How about this, folks</a> - a mashup by yours truly of a head-to-head of "Just the Same Way..."<br />
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<iframe height="280" src="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_5JOXdxZSvMY1Rma3JpcF9ZWFU/preview" width="420"></iframe><br />
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***<br />
<br />
And Journey Revisited will play, for the first time, in Steve Perry's hometown of Hanford, CA at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/720823121372546/?ref=5" target="_blank">Kings Fair</a>...that should be a blast.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PDsXRiW0aFY/VPXswi7xnTI/AAAAAAAAe-g/dI0tmP5uc6c/s400/hanford.jpg" /><br />
<br />
We've added some new dates to our tour schedule, <a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/p/tour-dates.html" target="_blank">so check it out regularly</a>. Here are the latest additions, and we expect more next week:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<li><span style="color: orange;">July 11, 2015</span><br />
<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Twilight Concert Series / Palo Alto, CA</span></b><br />
Rinconada Park | 7:00 PM)<b style="color: #3d85c6;"> </b> | <a href="http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/" target="_blank">INFO</a></li>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<li><span style="color: orange;">August 16, 2015</span></li>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Los Gatos Concert Series / Los Gatos, CA</b></span> | Civic Center, 110 East Main Street, Los Gatos, CA 95030 | <a href="http://lgmip.com/" target="_blank">INFO</a><br />
<br />
<li><span style="color: orange;">August 22, 2015</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Hawkins Amphitheater, Bartley Ranch Regional Park / Reno, NV</b></span> |<br />
Sierra Nevada Performing Arts Association's Reno-Tahoe Music Festival, 8:30-10 P.M. | <a href="http://snpaa.org/Events.html" target="_blank">INFO</a></li>
Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-15114541770793435832015-02-13T07:29:00.003-08:002015-02-13T21:51:00.863-08:00Profile on my legacy as a citizen journalist in the LGBT movement...and my new passion, Journey Revisited<div class="tr_bq">
It's not every day that you get such wonderful press. There's a piece on my role in the LGBT movement as part of Black History Month, recognizing NC residents who have made an impact. Matt Comer of QNotes interviewed me and the issue hit the stands yesterday and the story is online now,"<a href="http://goqnotes.com/33981/famed-blogger-lifted-unheard-voices/" target="_blank">Famed Blogger Lifted Unheard Voices</a>." <br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FHCi4tvdjC4/UaL74_DFYrI/AAAAAAAAOaw/AvBXKG9rbhY/s1600/phb.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FHCi4tvdjC4/UaL74_DFYrI/AAAAAAAAOaw/AvBXKG9rbhY/s640/phb.jpg" height="64" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mg-OaMqsqC0/VN4YB3JCF_I/AAAAAAAAcco/Fk9x7Bcv4mY/s1600/pamandmhp-1024x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mg-OaMqsqC0/VN4YB3JCF_I/AAAAAAAAcco/Fk9x7Bcv4mY/s1600/pamandmhp-1024x1024.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Wake Forest University professor and<br />
MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry <br />
(Feb 2015).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A snippit on my work <a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/p/about-pams-house-blend.html" target="_blank">publishing Pam's House Blend</a>:</div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Spaulding’s commentary and writing touched nearly every aspect of the LGBT and progressive communities. She kept tabs on local politics in cities across the Carolinas, often attending local government meetings in and around the Triangle. She’d visit the General Assembly to report on lobby days or get on-the-scene sources during legislative debates. She detailed LGBT activism in states and towns across the country, and even weighed in as an on-air commentator on CNN during the 2008 election. And, she used her increasing influence to build and lift the voices of other people of color, southerners, women and transgender writers."</blockquote>
But of course, this is history. I shut down the political blog in 2013 because it became too much work to maintain a full time job and the full time blog when rheumatoid arthritis really started to take hold.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9oqohhaOBpo/VN4XonHoWsI/AAAAAAAAccg/HAVeWt1PYyg/s1600/theguysjennielolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9oqohhaOBpo/VN4XonHoWsI/AAAAAAAAccg/HAVeWt1PYyg/s1600/theguysjennielolo.jpg" height="317" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm feeling quite a bit better these days due to some sledgehammer drugs that have their own effect on my life, but I have renewed energy working with <b><a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/" target="_blank">Journey Revisited</a></b>, the best Journey tribute band out there.<br />
<br />
Matt recounts how I got involved with the group:<br />
<blockquote>
"Spaulding now collaborates and assists with promotions, social media and website management for Journey Revisited, a tribute band she fell in love with. (She wanted us to plug their website, which she redesigned. You should totally visit it at <a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/" target="_blank">www.journeyrevisited.com</a>.) </blockquote>
<blockquote>
“I happened upon them by accident,” Spaulding recalls. “I didn’t know anything about them. Someone had posted a video of theirs and I was just blown away at how good they were.” </blockquote>
<blockquote>
She left a positive comment on that video and the band’s Facebook page and began a dialogue with one of the band’s members. [<i>Pam: the video was "<a href="http://goo.gl/ysTCAe" target="_blank">When You're Alone (It Ain't Easy</a>)" and the band member was frontman <a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/p/bios.html#Jeff" target="_blank">Jeff Salado</a></i>.] </blockquote>
<blockquote>
She finds herself spending time now helping the band on new projects, instead of chasing down the latest news leads across the country. “I got so enamored with the work they were doing,” she says. “I’m not just a fan. I’m knee-deep in this tribute band, and it’s been extremely satisfying."</blockquote>
***<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6AxI43-ks7Q/VN7iBT_kOJI/AAAAAAAAcdI/RFXk3IwcluQ/s1600/pamandjeffboc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6AxI43-ks7Q/VN7iBT_kOJI/AAAAAAAAcdI/RFXk3IwcluQ/s1600/pamandjeffboc.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And healing thoughts and prayers out to my buddy Jeff Salado, who is under the weather as JR begins a stretch of 4 gigs in 7 days. We're rooting for some rest and recovery...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MhIBywTGXec/VN6JeJnAw-I/AAAAAAAAcc4/qVF_FTOGVbg/s1600/gigs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MhIBywTGXec/VN6JeJnAw-I/AAAAAAAAcc4/qVF_FTOGVbg/s1600/gigs.jpg" height="211" width="400" /></a></div>
2/14: Valentine's Day @ Muckleshoot Casino, 7PM <br />
2/17: Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival, 1:30PM/4:30PM<br />
2/20: Fulton 55 - American Heart Association Benefit, 8PM<br />
2/21: Club Fox, 8:30PM.<br />
<br />
Info:<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/JourneyRevisited/events" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/JourneyRevisited/events</a><br />
<a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/p/tour-dates.html" target="_blank">http://www.journeyrevisited.com/p/tour-dates.html</a>Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-71862919132829577202014-09-21T16:05:00.001-07:002014-09-21T17:42:35.018-07:00It's official! JR welcomes me into the Journey Revisited family with "Open Arms"Today <a href="http://www.jrnyrevisited.com/" target="_blank">Journey Revisited</a> front man <a href="http://www.jrnyrevisited.com/p/bios.html#Jeff" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Jeff Salado</a> told JR fans <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JeffSalado/posts/10203771735027551" target="_blank">on Facebook</a> about my official role with the band...he's too kind.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7WZoKHugihY/VB9VH-Tv8iI/AAAAAAAAXqs/IxCtVhdF5as/s1600/j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7WZoKHugihY/VB9VH-Tv8iI/AAAAAAAAXqs/IxCtVhdF5as/s1600/j.jpg" /></a>I'm jazzed to announce that we're officially welcoming Pam Spaulding into the Journey Revisited family to support the band's outreach and operations as JR's fan base continues its incredible growth.<br />
<br />
She's been working with us for the last few months as a "web angel" - building the web site, writing and promoting content (band interviews, fan profiles) and assisting with social media, including updates to our official JR Facebook page to interact with you. That's why you've seen her name in many of the posts lately.<br />
<br />
Val, Dave, Mike, Kevin and I are excited about Pam officially coming on board to represent JR and "Faithfully" support her enthusiastic work with us 1000% - and we hope you do too with "Open Arms" (wink, wink). </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Journey Revisited fans and friends who are coming to our gig on November 8 at Black Oak Casino will have a chance to meet her as she works the event! </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Go Team JR!<br />
- Jeff</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hmmn6m9oWV0/VB9uVFnTsPI/AAAAAAAAXq4/fqC0Qc3QQc8/s1600/pam%2Bon%2Bboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hmmn6m9oWV0/VB9uVFnTsPI/AAAAAAAAXq4/fqC0Qc3QQc8/s1600/pam%2Bon%2Bboard.jpg" height="208" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<hr /><br />
My response:<br />
<br />
I'm overjoyed to be part of the effort to help the band grow and for people to see and hear how beautifully they represent the classic Journey sound. Thank you, Jeff and the guys, for having faith in me. --Pam<br />
Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192983634318364219.post-41835590525230596882014-09-11T23:53:00.001-07:002015-10-08T12:30:59.484-07:00Out of the closet - here comes the web angel for Journey Revisited<a href="http://www.jrnyrevisited.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/pspauld/Journey%20Revisited/screencaplogo_zps273dc602.jpg" width="375/" /></a>Anyone who's followed me over the years knows that I'm a dedicated (encyclopedic) Journey fan. Even <a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2013/06/thank-you-melissa-harris-perry-for.html" target="_blank">Melissa Harris-Perry made note of it on her show</a> when I decided to <a href="http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com/2013/07/01/so-long-farewell-today-we-close-pams-house-blend-its-been-real/" target="_blank">shut down my political blog</a>.<br />
<br />
So it's not surprising to share that a new passion of mine is fun work I'm doing for <b><a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/" target="_blank">Journey Revisited</a></b>, a fantastic tribute band that I've <a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2014/06/theres-nothing-like-ace-tribute-band.html" target="_blank">previously blogged about</a>. They are awesome.<br />
<br />
What started out as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JourneyRevisited/posts/677155725689930" target="_blank">a complimentary comment on Facebook</a> about the band's incredible rendition of "<a href="http://fandalism.com/jrnyjeff/cZSx" target="_blank">When You're Alone (It Ain't Easy</a>)" back in June, has turned into a love-fest because of the way JR brings back the classic Journey sound to audiences. And Journey Revisited does it without pre-recorded backing vocals; it's all live, all the time, in the organic, stripped-down way those beloved tunes were performed in concert back in the day.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9N6LTvnUaH0/U_VXI6abX9I/AAAAAAAAXE0/abgit7x0jUg/s1600/jsfeature05Y.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9N6LTvnUaH0/U_VXI6abX9I/AAAAAAAAXE0/abgit7x0jUg/s1600/jsfeature05Y.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff Salado</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The original web site, which didn't do the band justice to showcase their talent, I offered to reboot and turn it into a site with a blog. Working with lead singer <a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/p/bios.html#Jeff" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Jeff Salado</a> on the project has been a dream (he's full of creative ideas) -- so the web site work on design and functionality, turned into writing JR's blog, and doing audio and video editing. Then I took on other internet presence work re: social media -- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JourneyRevisited" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/JRNYrevisited" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.<br />
<br />
That stuff above sounds like a lot of work -- it is, but it's an exciting life change to have your work produce results and for it to be appreciated. Given I have a "real" job and my rheumatoid arthritis deals me a lot of fatigue, I had to figure out when I could slip some time into this project. It has been challenging, mostly because of the time difference -- the band is West Coast-based (Modesto, CA), so it's a three-hour difference.<br />
<br />
<b>How I do it</b><br />
<br />
It took some time to figure out that it was OK to go to bed early (since I'm toast after work) around 6:30 or 7 at the latest, and sleep till around 11 or midnight. Stereotypically, rock singers aren't morning people -- and that fits Jeff to a T, so I get back up and do a couple of hours of work, then hit the sack again after taking my 3:30 AM meds. It's a weird cycle, but it's worked out. I can only do that a couple of days a week because my body just can't handle it, so progress has to come in fits and starts, but a surprising amount of work has been accomplished in a short time.<br />
<br />
So my Jane-of-all-trades noodling around for the band needed an unofficial title for my gratis work, so I am now deemed the <i>JR Social Media/Web Angel</i>. I think it's kinda funny, but it fits, I suppose. In the real world, this would be called Internet Presence Manager or some such. But whatever I am, it's a great deal of fun and very fulfilling.<br />
<br />
It's a completely different world - nothing like political blogging. This is no <a href="http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com/" target="_blank">Pam's House Blend</a> of dealing with politicos, fundamentalist nuts, or speaking engagements, and it's a relief, actually. The world of entertainment/performance representation, along with fans, and gigs is so foreign to me, but it's interesting to see that my skills used above can easily be applied in this environment. The rest of the business side of matters is fascinating as well.<br />
<br />
<b>Bright ideas</b><br />
<br />
One of the ideas I came up with, Journey geek that I am, was to interview each of the band members and ask them about how they were introduced to Journey music, how they developed their passion into a tribute bands. You have fans that just go to enjoy a concert to reminisce about the songs in the timeline of their lives, and there are the other, more devoted (or obsessive, depending on your POV) fans, who want to know what makes an artist tick.<br />
<br />
Those interviews have been extremely fun to do, and they give fans insight into the process of emulating artists whose talent they admire. You can read how <a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/2014/08/behind-scenes-journey-revisited.html" target="_blank">Jeff Salado preps for a show, his process of bringing Steve Perry authenticity to his performance</a>. I've <a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/2014/09/behind-scenes-journey-revisited-drummer.html" target="_blank">also interviewed</a> <b>Dave Hawkes</b>, Journey Revisited's drummer, in similar fashion. He's actually met Journey's former drummer, the incredible Steve Smith and shared a wealth of information and perspective while being incredibly entertaining. I've enjoyed this process so much; it's nice to deal with such down-to-earth people in such a different milieu.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ochBBctxDQ/VAvcQS9rGxI/AAAAAAAAXSs/YNvlliWbU6Q/s1600/TheGuys%2Bby%2BJessicaRuggiero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="284" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ochBBctxDQ/VAvcQS9rGxI/AAAAAAAAXSs/YNvlliWbU6Q/s1600/TheGuys%2Bby%2BJessicaRuggiero.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17.2479991912842px;">Journey Revisited: L-R - Michael Gonzales, bass, vocals; Kevin Jachetta, keys, keytar, vocals; </i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17.2479991912842px;">Jeff Salado, lead singer; Val Popovic, guitar and vocals, Dave Hawkes, drums and percussion. </i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17.2479991912842px;">Photo by Jessica Ruggiero</i><i style="background-color: white; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17.2479991912842px;">.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After all, lots of folks like me are passionate about their favorite artists, but would never imagine getting up to perform as that artist before people. It takes a special kind of person to have that confidence in their drive and talent to be in a top-notch, dedicated-to-quality tribute band.<br />
<br />
It all makes me want to run and join the circus! These guys are great. They have a growing fan base, and bring down the house at every gig. It's gratifying to see their enthusiasm, it's infectious! :)<br />
<br />
I just have to work on getting them to take the East Coast by storm...<br />
<br />
Journey Revisited is the real deal. Watch:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1cb2ueTcu2Q?t=53s" width="480"></iframe><br />
Also read:<br />
* <a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2014/06/tribute-band-journey-revisited-on-road.html" target="_blank">Tribute band Journey Revisited on the road, paying homage to the classic sound</a><br />
* <a href="http://www.pamspaulding.net/2014/06/theres-nothing-like-ace-tribute-band.html" target="_blank">There's nothing like an ace tribute band - check out Journey Revisited</a><br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<b>* Web: <a href="http://www.journeyrevisited.com/" target="_blank">http://www.journeyrevisited.com</a></b><br />
<b>* Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/JRNYrevisited" target="_blank">@JRNYrevisited</a></b><br />
<b>* Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JourneyRevisited" target="_blank">Journey Revisited</a></b><br />
<br />Pam Spauldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06768293817473697095noreply@blogger.com1