They are now covered under the state minimum wage law, have clean water and sanitary facilities at the workplace. Assembly Democrats passed an omnibus bill with many Republican votes, 124-23, to address those issues as well as granting the right to organize and bargain collectively. Senator Bruno questioned whether it's possible to go that far. He said his house was looking at providing workers with better health and child care and a day of rest each week. Farm Bureau opposes the changes.
Farmers say agriculture is different from other industries.
The harvest season, for instance, is short and demanding. Farmers can't afford hiring more workers to cover days off and shorter hours. They say it would force some farms out of business. United Teachers call for a delay of up to two years of the new tougher science graduation requirements. State education department officials said no delay is necessary.