California

California is considering legislation to...

...prohibit work on state contracts from being performed overseas?
YES, does not include foreign call centers

... require overseas call centers to identify their location over the phone to consumers? YES

Rate of unemployment (April 2004):
6.2%, 7th highest in nation

Higher unemployment (as of April 2004) since recession began in March 2001? YES

Pending bills and their descriptions, quoted from TechsUnite.org:
Currently pending bill AB1829, introduced on February 2, 2004, "prohibits state agencies from contracting for services with a contractor or subcontractor unless they certifies that the service will be performed solely by U.S. workers... also specifies that the provisions do not apply if agencies cannot find qualified U.S. talent to perform services, or if agencies cannot find U.S. workers to be trained to perform services. Provisions carry perjury penalties."

AB1845, introduced on Jan. 29, 2004, AB 1845
"requires state agencies that contract for services to include a provision in those contracts that require that only U.S. citizens and legal aliens perform work. Also applies to subcontracts."


Sources: TechsUnite.org, The Economic Policy Institute, CNN/Money, CNet News.Com