Gov. Brown Vetoes Bill To Expand Commuter Benefits
SACRAMENTO (KCBS) - Legislation that would have broadened commuter incentive requirements for employers has been vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown.
The bill was modeled after local ordinances already adopted in San Francisco, Berkeley and Richmond mandating that employers either subsidize workers' carpool or public transit expenses, or provide bus service or other free transportation to work.
Brown said imposing a statewide requirement on companies that employ as few as 20 people was too expensive in this tough economy.
KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:
The California Chamber of Commerce and other business groups opposed to the bill argued it was redundant because federal law already allows companies to provide such benefits on a voluntary basis.
Most companies that choose to offer commuter benefits elect to let employees pay their commute costs through pre-tax dollars, a move that also reduces the employer's payroll taxes.
Brown's veto doesn't impact local commuter benefit ordinances already in effect.
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