In January 2010, I wrote about Chavez v. City of Los Angeles, where a lawyer who recovered $11,500 for his client on a retaliation claim asked the court to award $870,935.50 in attorneys’ fees. The decision was based on the fact that the case could have been brought in a court that dealt with smaller cases. The California legislature passed a bill (AB 559) that would have done away with the distinction in discrimination cases. But Governor Jerry Brown vetoed the bill this week.

In his prior incarnation as Governor, Brown rarely vetoed legislation.  It’s encouraging to see him taking a pro-business stand here. I hope I’m not reading to much into it by saying that it reflects a recognition that an anti-business climate isn’t what California’s economy needs to get going.