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

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

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.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

7 hours ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today