California Gov. Gavin Newsom is now at the center of the vaccine war after saying he doesn’t agree with a bill to tighten vaccine exemptions statewide. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gave rare praise to Newsom following his comments, commenting on “his wise and sober opposition to a draconian proposal.”
But Newsom, whose comments were made at California Democratic Party’s convention, didn’t exactly mean he opposes a new law.
“I like doctor-patient relationships, bureaucratic relationships are more challenging for me,” Newsom said on Saturday. “So it’s just a broad stroke. I’m a parent, I don’t want someone that the governor of California appointed to make a decision for my family.”
The law would make it much more difficult for a doctor to file a medical vaccine exemption for a parent. Senate Bill 276 has caused furious debate and controversy across California. Parental rights activist see the bill as a way to further strip parents and doctors of medical rights.
California Gov. @GavinNewsom has just passed that test with his wise and sober opposition to a draconian proposal to forcibly vaccinate medically fragile children against the wishes of their parents and the … Read more: https://t.co/d8TQneA8BT pic.twitter.com/yRbxmVVEnL
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) June 3, 2019
California is already one of the most stringent vaccine states in the country. Sen. Richard Pan’s SB 276 would seek to dramatically tighten the already tight laws.
“I am working with the governor on how to implement a California solution to eliminating the danger of fake medical exemptions so we can protect our schools and children from preventable diseases,” Pan said.
Newsom is no stranger to off the cuff remarks.
Last February, Newsom attacked the state’s high-speed rail project, causing President Trump to void a $1 billion in federal funding.