While the California Senate passed a series of public safety bills last week intended to get tough on organized retail theft, it did so without the vote of former Senate President pro Tem and 2026 gubernatorial candidate Toni Atkins.
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Whether you love it or hate it, self-checkout is a popular option at stores across Los Angeles.
"It can be disorganized, but it can also be very helpful," said shopper Aaron Showalter.
"Rarely do I use it," said Sydelle Foreman. "I always have a few things that need to be weighed and I'd rather have them do it."
As self-checkout machines become more common, so are the concerns. Workers claim severe understaffing is on the rise and that self-checkouts make cashiers easier targets for theft and violence.
As technology advances, many stores have introduced self-service checkout stations— however, California lawmakers worry that self-checkout is actually putting workers in danger rather than just reducing costs.
Self-checkout kiosks can make going in and out of stores easy, but the Retail Theft Prevention and Safe Staffing Act states more staffing would help protect employees from harassment and reduce theft at self-checkout kiosks.
CHECK-OUT CONUNDRUM: State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas has been one of the most vocal opponents of the retail theft bill package Democrats have championed this year.
Job equity: Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas held a rally outside the state Capitol Tuesday to drum up support for Senate Bill 1340. The measure would help ensure equitable hiring practices when hiring for the state’s $180 billion in infrastructure projects over the next ten years. It would require state-funded contractors to prioritize workers from disadvantaged communities “so they have a front seat to getting access to these good jobs,” said the Los Angeles Democrat.
More than a year after the Biden administration announced $180 billion for new green infrastructure projects in California, a new bill is aiming to ensure the contractors for those projects hire workers from underserved communities.
About 100 activists gathered at the state capitol Tuesday to urge the governor to support Senate Bill 1340.
More than a year after the Biden Administration announced $180 billion for a new green infrastructure project in California. The new bill is aiming to ensure that contractors for those projects hire workers from underserved communities. About 100 activists gathered at the state capitol today to urge the governor to support senate bill 1340, if signed into law.