San Diego based cartoonist prepares to lose business in 2020 as a result of AB 5

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – Assembly bill 5, written by San Diego Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher, is set to go into effect January 1, 2020.

The bill aims to reclassify independent contractors, or freelancers, as part-time or full-time employees. There are many industries and “professional services” that qualify some for exemptions from the regulations AB 5 places on California’s independent contractors.

The highly controversial bill was designed by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher, claims her bill will help independent contractors, but she is taking a lot of criticism from those impacted by her bill that say just the opposite.

Californiaglobe.com reported that Gonzalez-Fletcher, “will serve to significantly limit Californians’ ability to work as independent contractors and freelancers. It was revealed during Senate debate in September that the AFl-CIO wrote AB 5.”

KUSI asked San Diegans who work as independent contractors that have been impacted by her bill to share their story. We received dozens of messages from people who have said AB 5 negatively impacts them, and that they prefer to work as independent contractors rather than employees. Their reasons vary. Many say they are able to make more money as an independent contractor, and others say it allows them to work in a way that fits the needs of their lifestyle.

In the first segment of a continuing series, we are looking at how AB 5 will impact Californians who work as independent contractors and/or freelancers.

Cartoonist Lisa Rothstein reached out to KUSI with an interesting story regarding AB 5’s impact on her job. Although she’s not technically affected by the bill since she is incorporated, she believes the stigma for companies against hiring California based outside contractors will definitely cost her business because so many companies are unclear about the law and will simply choose to avoid any issues and hire outside contractors from other states.

Rothstein believes AB 5 has made California based creative freelancers the “lepers of professional America.” She joined us in studio to tell us more about how the bill will impact her.

Infographic cartoon about AB 5 created by Lisa Rothstein