California lawmakers OK double pay on Thanksgiving

Workers at large California companies would get double-time for working on Thanksgiving under a bill advancing in the state Legislature.

The Assembly approved AB67 by Democratic Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez of San Diego after she narrowed it to only include large retail businesses with more than 500 employees in California.

The requirement comes as stores have begun opening earlier and earlier to accommodate shoppers ahead of Black Friday.

Lawmakers rejected the bill last year when it applied more broadly. Gonzalez previously also dropped an effort to apply the requirement to those working on Christmas as well.

Lawmakers passed the bill Wednesday on a 41-30 vote, sending it to the Senate.

Gonzalez lobbied for her bill last year by sending pumpkin pies to members' offices on the day of the vote.

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