BizFed responds to LA Times story driven by ideological retaliation

The Los Angeles Times published a story last Thursday prompted by the loud aspersions of a powerful labor union: SEIU Local 2015. The piece gives the impression that calls for investigations into an economics research center at UC Riverside are rooted in valid concerns, rather than ideological retaliation. We know it's the latter – and we're not afraid to call out reporting that doesn't thoroughly vet its primary source's motivations.

BizFed mobilized swiftly to push back on this harmful and unfounded rhetoric. We submitted a letter to the editor signed by yours truly to ask why they buried illuminating information about SEIU's relationship with BizFed member Beacon Economics, the firm that runs the economics research center.

Here are a few more facts you need to know.

• The UC Riverside School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting and Development is subject to the same type of academic review and adheres to the same standards that apply to all UC centers.
  
  
• SEIU terminated its relationship with Beacon Economics after the firm produced data reports linking an SEIU-sponsored fast food law to higher restaurant prices. The law, AB 257, was opposed by BizFed members.
  
  
• AB 257 will be on the November 2024 ballot, putting implementation on hold for the next year and a half.

Let's see if the LA Times publishes our response. I invite you to circulate this email among your members and partners. We can amplify our efforts to set the record straight, regardless of what editors choose to print.

Onward!

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Tracy Hernandez
BizFed Founding CEO