Governors Briefs: Pollution Law Advances and California Jobs First Creates Thousands More Jobs, Faster

California’s Landmark Plastic Pollution Law Moves Forward

SACRAMENTO — California in March took another step in a comprehensive measure to tackle the rise in plastic waste polluting communities and ecosystems. Plastic waste is a major contributor to climate and trash pollution, with less than 9% of plastic recycled in California and the rest of the U.S.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54) in 2022, which requires producers to cut single-use plastic waste and ensure the packaging on products they sell is recyclable or compostable. The state has released draft regulations for the measure, kicking off the formal rulemaking process.

This landmark law requires that by 2032, industry must:

• Sell 25% less single-use plastic packaging and food ware in the state.
• Make all single-use packaging and plastic food ware recyclable or compostable.
• Recycle 65% of single-use plastic packaging and food ware.

In addition, the law creates a fund that will raise $5 billion from industry members to be used by the state to address plastic pollution in the most impacted communities

The shift in the way the state produces and consumes plastic will create thousands of jobs. CalRecycle is now accepting applications for $40 million in redemption innovation technology grants on top of $15 million in workforce development grants rolling out this year to build the future of recycling in California. 

More information on this development and additional recycling reforms can be found here.

California Jobs First: State Launches Council to Create Thousands of More Jobs Across All Regions

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom in March announced the creation of the California jobs first council and operational plan focused on streamlining the state’s economic and workforce development programs to create more jobs, faster. The council and operational plan will guide the state’s investments in economic and workforce development to create more family-supporting jobs and prioritize industry sectors for future growth.

The California Jobs First Council will bring together various state entities, including:

• Director of the Governor’s Office of Planning & Research: promoting alignment with General Plan guidelines and land use policies
• Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency: representing nature-based solutions and clean energy industries
• Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture: representing the agriculture industry
• Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency: representing the circular economy
• Secretary of the California Health & Human Services Agency: representing the healthcare industry and promoting jobs for disabled and disadvantaged workers
• Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs: representing the more than 1.6 million former service members that reside in the state
• President of the Public Utilities Commission: representing opportunities to advance California’s clean energy workforce of the future and economic opportunities for communities

The Council will coordinate the development of a statewide industrial strategy that includes a statewide economic snapshot and identification of priority sectors, a statewide projects portfolio, a business expansion, attraction and retention strategy, and a workforce development strategy. The council will also support the regional jobs first collaboratives to expand industry and create jobs locally.

The California jobs first council is a component of California’s broader strategy to prepare students and workers for high-paying careers. The council will work alongside the council for career education and in line with the Governor’s 2023 Executive Order that directed the creation of a master plan for career education to ensure that Californians have career pathways, develop the skills and find opportunities to be full beneficiaries of the state’s economy. 

The Master Plan is aimed at aligning and simplifying the K-12, university, and workforce systems in California to support greater access to career education and jobs for all Californians.