Skip to content

Small Businesses File Brief Against California’s Unconstitutional Shutdowns

Small Businesses File Brief Against California’s Unconstitutional Shutdowns

November 8, 2023

Small Businesses File Brief Against California’s Unconstitutional Shutdowns

FRESNO, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2023)NFIB filed an amicus brief in the case Ghost Golf Inc. et al. v. Gavin Newsom at the California Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District. The case concerns Governor Newsom’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, the government shutdown of businesses ordered during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the separation of powers. “The Blueprint was a statewide one-size-fits-all mandate, which harmed small businesses in the state,” said Beth Milito, Executive Director of NFIB’s Small Business Legal Center. “California’s Constitution does not permit such power in the hands of the Governor and California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and we ask the court to serve as a meaningful check on their actions.” NFIB’s brief argues two main points: 1) actions taken by the Governor and the CDPH to address the COVID-19 pandemic violated California’s separation of powers, eroding the liberty of Californians and the State’s small businesses, and 2) those actions to address the COVID-19 pandemic destroyed small businesses during the pandemic and continue to have a lasting negative impact on businesses post-pandemic. The NFIB Small Business Legal Center protects the rights of small business owners in the nation’s courts. NFIB is currently active in more than 40 cases in federal and state courts across the country and in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Get to know NFIB

NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.

Receive our newsletter and email notification
Knowledge is power. Let us help you stay informed with breaking legislative news, regulatory updates, business tips, and more.

Related Articles

August 28, 2025
NFIB’s Leadership Day in Sacramento a Huge Success
Event accomplished its advocacy goals with legislators, administration
Read More
August 28, 2025
NFIB California Main Street Minute, August 25-29
Small business leaders to rally in State Capitol
Read More
U.S. Capitol Building
August 25, 2025
NFIB Releases New Ads Thanking California Reps. David Valadao,…
New Radio and Digital Ads Start This Week in California Thanking Reps. Vala…
Read More
August 19, 2025
Small Businesses Make Progress Against Regulatory Burdens
The NFIB Small Business Legal Center makes progress in several key cases, s…
Read More

© 2001 - 2025 National Federation of Independent Business. All Rights Reserved. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Accessibility