Organizers say one referendum has qualified for the ballot and another, filed on Monday, garnered more than 5,200 signatures. City must repeal its approvals or call an election after first petition qualified.
Operations at the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics have to paused during the U.S. government shutdown that began Oct. 1, 2025. (Stock photo outside US Labor Department by Westy72)
REDLANDS, Calif. — The California Employment Development Department (EDD) announced that the release of the state’s September 2025 labor data, which was originally set for Oct. 17, has been delayed because of the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The shutdown, which began Oct. 1, has paused key operations in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which provides the surveys and data needed to calculate monthly employment and unemployment numbers across the country.
Why it matters: The monthly jobs report provides a crucial snapshot of California’s economic health. Both statewide and locally, it shows which industries are growing or shrinking, how many people are working and how unemployment rates are shifting.
Details: California’s labor market estimates rely on two major federal surveys conducted by the BLS. The first one is the Establishment Survey, which collects data from businesses to estimate total job numbers. The second is the Household Survey, which gathers information from residents to determine employment status and demographic breakdowns.
Because those federal surveys have been suspended during the shutdown, the EDD cannot finalize or verify the monthly employment figures it typically publishes.
What they’re saying: “California’s monthly labor market information is produced in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),” the EDD said in its statement. “Because many federal statistical activities have been suspended during the shutdown, including key surveys that help inform monthly estimates, states are not able to perform their own assessments and publish this month’s employment reports.”
Zoom out: The federal government shutdown, now stretching into its third week, has disrupted a wide range of services. The shutdown stems from a congressional impasse over a funding bill for federal agencies.
As a result, the BLS has been forced to halt its statistical programs, furlough staff and suspend publication of key reports.
Moving forward: EDD officials said they will announce a revised release date for the September labor report once BLS operations resume.
While the September report is on hold, readers can explore our past coverage of the Inland Empire job market, including trends in local employment rates and industry growth:
Kathryne is a journalist and creative writer who has contributed to CFR since 2023. When she isn't reporting, she can be found curled up with a thick fantasy book.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
Kathryne Mccann
