Parents block California’s effort to investigate ‘fake’ vaccine exemptions
From the Chronicle's DUSTIN GARDINER: "California medical regulators have been flooded with complaints about doctors accused of writing improper vaccine exemptions for children, with at least 186 accusations filed in the last four years."
"But a large number of those complaints— more than 40% so far — have been closed. Only one doctor has been disciplined."
"The Medical Board of California and advocates of tighter vaccine rules say that’s because one group has stymied many investigations: uncooperative parents."
Wild shootout near 215 Freeway in Riverside leaves CHP officer and gunman dead
LA Times's JACLYN COSGROVE/PALOMA ESQUIVEL/RICHARD WINTON: "A California Highway Patrol officer was killed and two other officers were wounded in a wild shootout Monday evening off the 215 Freeway in Riverside that also left the gunman dead and motorists dodging bullets."
"Officer Andre Moye, 34, was killed, and a second officer was in critical condition Monday night after the shooting, which also left a third CHP officer with minor injuries. Authorities said two civilians are thought to have suffered minor injuries."
"The suspect, who has not been identified, died at the scene."
Lawmakers return to Capitol with a big to-do list
Sacramento Bee's HANNAH WILEY: "It’s back to the Capitol for California lawmakers, who are returning on Monday from a month-long break to finish out the 2019 session."
"They’ve killed bills, shelved others, amended some, overhauled a few and passed several new laws. But their work isn’t done."
"In the next two months, state legislators are scheduled to pass or ax hundreds of proposals that range from slight legal modifications to systemic overhauls."
California lawmaker's chief of staff 'grabbed' colleague's breasts, investigation finds
Sacramento Bee's HANNAH WILEY: "An investigation into sexual harassment allegations against a California assemblyman’s former chief of staff found merit to claims that he inappropriately touched a colleague, according to a Friday announcement from the Legislature."
"The heavily redacted documents outline allegations against Mark Lomeli, including two claims made in 2018 by unidentified legislative employees."
"One alleged that in 2016 that Lomeli “grabbed (the individual’s) ‘breasts, vagina, buttocks, and pushed his penis area on me” and “made unwelcome comments about (the individual’s) physical appearance.” The document does not say where the incident took place."
READ MORE related to #MeToo: 7 women report being drugged while drinking in Davis. 3 were sexually assaulted, police say -- Sacramento Bee's MICHAEL MCGOUGH; Sexual misconduct allegations against California doctors rise sharply since #MeToo era began -- LA Times's SOUMYA KARLAMANGLA
Mandatory liability insurance for gun owners? California mayor wants to require it
Sacramento Bee's ANDREW SHEELER: "The mayor of San Jose announced Monday that he is seeking “a first-of-its-kind ‘harm reduction’ model” to curb gun violence in his city, a plan that includes requiring gun owners to carry liability insurance."
"His announcement comes two weeks after a fatal mass shooting in nearby Gilroy."
"A mayor doesn’t have the luxury of just offering ‘thoughts and prayers’ — we have to solve problems,” said Mayor Sam Liccardo in a statement."
Kamala Harris barnstorms Iowa in effort to build 2020 momentum
The Chronicle's TAL KOPAN: "You make me a better candidate,” Sen. Kamala Harris told a cheering crowd toward the end of a long campaign day in this crucial, first-to-vote state in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination."
"She was halfway through a five-day, “river-to-river” bus tour of Iowa, where voters will gather in caucuses a little over five months from now. Consistently ranking in the top four of candidates in the polls, Harris has nonetheless struggled to move up in the field. A strong performance in the first presidential debate in June gave her a bump, but much of it dissipated after less of a standout showing in the second debate last month."
"Her campaign is hoping that building up in Iowa will provide a lasting spark for the California Democrat. The tour, wrapping up Monday, is crossing the state from west to east — from the Missouri River to the Mississippi — in a bus customized with Harris’ name and “For the People” slogan."
Trump crackdown on legal immigrants could damage California economy, experts say
LA Times's GIULIA MCDONNELL NIETO DEL RIO: "The Trump administration’s new immigration crackdown — which could deny green cards to immigrants who use Medicaid, food stamps, housing vouchers or other forms of public assistance — would have major ramifications on the California economy, experts and advocates said Monday."
"Laurel Lucia, director of the healthcare program at the UC Berkeley Labor Center, says the policy could have a damaging effect on California and the country’s overall economy. Many in California who already have a green card or have become citizens may dis-enroll from public benefits such as Medi-Cal or CalFresh out of fear for what the policy may mean for themselves and for their family members, causing a chilling effect on the economy, she said."
"When these Californians dis-enroll that means fewer federal dollars coming into the state supporting not only our healthcare system but our whole economy,” Lucia said."
Election 2019: Here are all of SF's November ballot measures
The Chronicle's DOMINIC FRACASSA: "The six ballot measures facing San Francisco voters on Nov. 5were given identifying letters by the city’s elections department Monday."
"By law, bond measures get top billing on San Francisco ballots, followed by proposed Charter Amendments and then ordinance proposals."
"On Election Day, voters will consider the city’s largest-ever affordable housing bond, whether to tax Uber and Lyft rides, an initiative mandating more campaign finance disclosures, among others."
California union members strike back against Kaiser Permanente, 5 other states still voting
Sacramento Bee's CATHIE ANDERSON: "The Service Employees International Union–United Healthcare Workers West said Monday that thousands of California workers in its Kaiser Permanente unit have voted overwhelmingly to support a strike against their employer in early October."
"More than 80,000 workers in California, Colorado, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, Washington and the District of Columbia will have the opportunity to vote through September on whether to authorize the strike. The workers are members of 11 unions that make up the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions."
"In California, SEIU-UHW reported, about two-thirds of its Kaiser members cast votes. More than 37,000 voted to authorize the strike, 867 opposed it and roughly 19,000 did not vote."
READ MORE related to Strikes: After 5 strikes, thousands of health, research and technical workers ratify new UC contract -- Sacramento Bee's CATHIE ANDERSON
Former dean accuses San Diego State president of promoting 'political litmuis test' for top jobs
LA Times's GARY ROBBINS: "San Diego State University President Adela de la Torre has been accused by one of her former deans of saying that education leaders in California cannot obtain or keep top jobs unless they pass a left-leaning “political litmus test."
"The accusation, which De la Torre denies, was made by Lance Nail, who stepped down as dean of SDSU’s Fowler College of Business in May, less than two years after his high-profile recruitment from Texas Tech University, where he was an innovation expert."
"Nail said Monday that De la Torre made the political claim when he told her he was leaving for a deanship at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. At the time, he was willing to consider staying at SDSU, which hoped that he would make the most of a $25-million donation the campus received to improve the business school."
Homeless activist sues Sac County after car towed, alleging deputy 'retaliated'
Sacramento Bee's ALEXANDRA YOON-HENDRICKS: "A local homeless activist is suing Sacramento County and the Sheriff’s Office, alleging that her civil rights were violated when her car was seized during an altercation related to the clearing of a south Sacramento encampment in May."
"Crystal Sanchez was arrested and her car was seized and towed May 17 while she attempted to help homeless people who were being detained near a vacant lot on Stockton Boulevard. Earlier in the month, about 70 homeless people had been ousted from inside the 5700 Stockton Blvd. property during a large-scale clearing, prompting dozens to protest."
"The lawsuit alleges that Sanchez was “targeted” by a sheriff’s deputy, who “retaliated against her because of her leadership position on providing assistance to homeless persons camped at the 5700 Stockton Boulevard lot."
READ MORE related to Homelessness & Housing: Oakland on course to create more housing units than SF in 2019 -- The Chronicle's JK DINEEN; New location proposed for homeless shelter in this Sacramento neighborhood -- Sacramento Bee's THERESA CLIFT
