1. California Senate passes bill giving contractors employee status
California lawmakers on Tuesday approved a bill requiring many companies to treat contract workers as employees. The landmark legislation could have broad implications for fixtures in the gig economy, including Uber, Lyft, and other companies that rely heavily on contractors. The bill passed 29-11 in the State Senate. It faces a final vote in the State Assembly that is viewed as a formality. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is expected to sign the bill. The legislation applies to app-based companies, which tried to negotiate an exemption but failed. If the bill becomes law as expected, it will take effect Jan. 1 and affect all workers controlled by a company, or whose contributions are part of a firm's regular operations. Labor groups are pushing similar measures in New York and other states.
2. China exempts 16 U.S. products from new tariffs
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3. Percentage of uninsured Americans rises for first time in decade
4. Apple announces lower streaming service prices, new iPhone
5. Uber lays off 435 more employees
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