Bipartisan group of assembly members urge Newsom to delay RTO order

(FOX40.COM) — A group of 17 California assemblymembers, made up of two Republicans and 15 Democrats, called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to delay his return-to-office order.

The lawmakers asked that state workers not be made to return to the office four days a week until the State Auditor completes a report on the order.

Video: State workers protest in front of the California Department of Human Services (March 2025)

Newsom’s order is scheduled to take effect July 1. The auditor’s report is scheduled to be released later this summer, the lawmakers said.

The Joint Legislative Audit Committee requested the audit address a number of issues, including how much each state agency relies on telework, how much the state would save on office leases, telework’s impact on the state’s climate goals and the impact of telework on employee productivity and customer satisfaction.

The group, led by Asm. Josh Hoover (R-Folsom) and Assistant Majority Leader Robert Garcia (D-Rancho Cucamunga), argue that telework has numerous benefits the state should try to keep.

“The State Auditor is currently studying the benefits of California’s telework policies, and it is critical that the Governor’s RTO mandate be put on hold until this important work is completed,” Assemblymember Hoover said. “Embracing telework where feasible has the potential to save California taxpayers millions of dollars, reduce traffic congestion, and help make state employers more competitive with the private sector. I appreciate Assemblymember Garcia and my legislative colleagues for joining this effort to support state workers.” 

The letter also said that Downtown Sacramento’s parking infrastructure was not suited for so many in-person workers.

“In a recent memo from the Department of General Services, the Legislature was informed that the availability of daily parking passes will be capped and reduced each day due to the demand created by RTO,” the letter said. “Eliminating telework will create significant parking capacity issues and will harm productivity for existing in-person state workers as well.”

In his executive order, Newsom said research showed that in-person work “enhanced collaboration, cohesion, and communication, improved opportunities for mentorship, and improved supervision and accountability.”