Newsom Defends Vaccine Bill Changes, and Complete Coverage of End-of-Session in the Legislature

Plus, Previewing Trump's Visit to California and a Conversation with Eric Garcetti [Political Breakdown Logo]( Hey there everyone -- The entire politics team (but mostly our Sacramento maven Katie Orr) is breathing a sigh of relief this week -- that’s because California lawmakers wrapped up their annual legislative session in the wee hours of the morning Saturday. Of course, those final votes didn't come until AFTER a dramatic scene in the state Senate Friday evening, where an anti-vaccine protester [threw a feminine hygiene product containing what she said was menstrual blood]( the chamber floor. The blood hit several Senators and prompted the upper legislative house to move its business into a committee room for the rest of the night. By the time that scene unfolded, the vaccine legislation had already been passed and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, after he [demanded some last minute changes]( that slightly weakened the vaccine mandate. On Monday, Newsom [defended his requests]( for the late changes. — Marisa caleg [What Passed? What Didn't? Catch Up With the California Legislature as Session Ends](#) Here’s [our massive roundup]( what passed, what stalled … and what will come back next year. From kids’ issues to health, housing, criminal justice and more -- we have you covered. [IN DEPTH: Employment Law, Recycling and PG&E](#) The Gig is Up: Lawmakers Pass AB 5 to Protect Gig Workers One of the biggest fights of the year (and one that’s not done yet) was over Assembly Bill 5, which aims to reclassify independent contractors as employees. The [landmark bill]( which would offer new wage and benefit protections to workers in California's gig economy and a host of other industries, is headed to the governor's desk -- and he’s promised to sign it. AB 5 [sailed through the state Assembly]( on Wednesday by a vote of 56-15, just over 12 hours after its late-night approval in the Senate, a major victory for labor advocates and a stinging defeat for the tech companies that staunchly opposed it. But now those companies are gearing up to fight the legislation at the ballot box in 2020 -- and they have quite the warchest. Legislature Passes Bill to Shore Up State's Recycling Centers One of the last minute issues tackled by lawmakers was an [emergency recycling bill]( by San Francisco Assemblyman Phil Ting. It passed the Legislature Friday and was sent to Governor Gavin Newsom. Ting introduced AB 54 five days before the end of the session. Ting says the bill will bring temporary relief to cities, grocers and small convenience stores that have been pinched by the abrupt closing of recycling centers across the state. PG&E, Insurance Companies Strike $11 Billion Deal to Settle Wildfire Claims PG&E has cleared another major hurdle in its quest to settle claims related to the devastating Northern California fires the utility caused in 2017 and 2018, [announcing a proposed $11 billion settlement]( with insurance companies that have already paid victims of those disasters. The settlement is a big step toward what PG&E needs to do to exit bankruptcy protection by next June – a deadline set by a recently enacted law that will allow the company to participate in a new, state-run wildfire insurance fund. The settlement does not cover individual wildfire victims who have sued PG&E-- and lawyers for those victims were critical of the settlement, saying the company is again putting the needs of survivors last. The plan came just days after the utility [unveiled its plan to exit bankruptcy.]( # [GOLDEN STATE POLITICS](#) President Trump Comes to California When Air Force One touches down at Moffett Field in Mountain View Tuesday morning, President Donald Trump will be heading "behind enemy lines," as one supporter called it. But his re-election campaign and Republican Party coffers will be stuffed with cash when he leaves the state Wednesday. Scott has this [preview of the President's trip]( to the Golden State today. Mayor Eric Garcetti on the Homeless Crisis, Kosher Burritos and LA's Green New Deal Scott and I got to [sit down with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti]( just as [news broke that Trump administration officials were headed to L.A.]( to see what they can do to tackle the state’s homeless crisis. We got his reaction to that visit -- and if it’s political theater or not -- before moving on to his "Jew-tino" heritage, what it was like watching the O.J. Simpson trial while his dad was district attorney, and LA's Green New Deal. SPONSORED BY Wells Fargo Wells Fargo aims to pave a path to economic opportunity and financial success for underserved communities by focusing on housing affordability, small business growth, and financial health, among other local community needs. In 2018, Wells Fargo’s Foundation donated $444 million to more than 11,000 nonprofits. For more information, visit [wellsfargo.com/impact](. patterson [This Week: Jessica Patterson](#) She’s young, she’s Latina, and she’s charged with rebuilding the Republican brand in California, where they’re now a third party. This Thursday on the Breakdown, Scott and I sit down with California Republican Party chair Jessica Patterson … and unveil a brand new Political Breakdown polling partnership! 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