California Voters Chose Uber Over Employment Law—What it Means for the U.S.

After the most expensive initiative campaign in California history, California voters approved Proposition 22 by a wide margin. The consequences of the vote could go national.

2 minute read

November 10, 2020, 12:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Transportation Network Companies

Filip Frącz / Flickr

"Californians decisively determined the future of ride-hailing and delivery apps, as 58 percent voted that drivers should be classified as independent contractors, rather than employees," report Faiz Siddiqui and Nitasha Tiku.

"The state ballot measure, Proposition 22, will make drivers independent contractors according to California law," explains the article. "That supersedes a new law, known as A.B. 5, intended to grant drivers full employment, including minimum wage protections, health care and such benefits as unemployment and sick leave."

"Gig economy" companies like Uber and Lyft spent a total of $200 million on Prop. 22—setting a record for election spending on ballot propositions in the state and raising numerous allegations of untruthful campaigning in the process, as documented in the article.

Whatever money these companies spent, and public good will they burned in the process, might come to be just an investment toward similar laws to be replicated around the country, according to the article. A surprising ally in that effort is identified fairly far down in the feature-length article: Former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation and former Mayor of Charlotte Anthony Foxx, who is now Lyft's chief policy officer.

"I think Prop 22 has now created a structure for us to discuss with leaders in other states and Washington, potentially,”" Foxx is quote as saying in the article. "We think that prop 22 has now created a model that can be replicated and can be scaled."

In a separate article on the same Subject, Camille Squires digs further into the potential for "gig economy" companies to spread the model presented by Prop. 22 to other parts of the country. An article by Jeremy B. White includes soundbites from Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi echoing the words of former Secretary Foxx, as well.

And, in the bleak days of uncertainty following the election, Proposition 22 was one source of satirical ire from fake news site The Onion, which headlined a totally fictional, made up article on the subject thusly: "Passed California Ballot Measure Allows Uber, Lyft To Categorize Workers As Car Parts."

Wednesday, November 4, 2020 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

45 minutes ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

2 hours ago - The Washington Post

Bird's eye view of studio apartment design.

In These Cities, Most New Housing is Under 441 Square Feet

With loosened restrictions on “micro-housing,” tiny units now make up as much as 66% of newly constructed housing.

4 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive