The Latest: California to extend health coverage to all kids


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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on California legislation acted upon by Gov. Jerry Brown ahead of a Sunday deadline (All times local):

6:04 p.m.

Gov. Jerry Brown has signed off on a plan to extend California's health care program for the poor to cover immigrant children from low-income families, regardless of their legal status.

The Democratic governor announced Friday that he signed SB4 by Democratic Sen. Ricardo Lara of Bell Gardens.

Brown and legislative leaders earlier this year approved state funding to cover all children under 19 in Medi-Cal, the state's health care program for the poor. The initial cost is estimated at $40 million.

Lara was forced to scale back his proposal seeking a federal waiver that would have allowed immigrants to purchase unsubsidized coverage through Covered California, regardless of their legal status.

The law takes effect in May.

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5:37 p.m.

Gov. Jerry Brown has signed into law a union-backed bill that responds to recent decisions by some local governments to reveal more details of labor negotiations.

SB331 by Democratic state Sen. Tony Mendoza of Artesia applies only to Orange County and a few Los Angeles and Orange County cities that adopted broader disclosure standards.

The standards call for disclosing collective bargaining proposals and counterproposals, among other details.

Brown announced Friday that he signed the bill requiring those governments to also make public any contracts worth $50,000 or more. Opponents say that could affect numerous contracts covering everything from clerical services to trash removal.

The First Amendment Coalition and The Sacramento Bee's editorial board were among opponents that said the law will obscure labor negotiations rather than make them more transparent.

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4:15 p.m.

Gov. Jerry Brown is rejecting legislation that would ban the University of California from outsourcing full-time jobs to companies that do not offer the same wages and benefits as comparable jobs in the university system.

SB376 by Sen. Ricardo Lara, a Bell Gardens Democrat, sought to bring wage parity to custodial, clerical, food services and some medical workers.

Brown vetoed the bill Friday, saying the effort to boost pay for UC workers is well-intentioned but he can't embrace all its provisions.

The Sacramento Bee was among those urging the governor to reject the legislation, which it called a "favor" to a union that represents many UC employees.

The Democratic governor urged the university system to make its contracts transparent and demonstrate how it protects the interests of its lower-paid workers.

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3:54 p.m.

Gov. Jerry Brown has rejected a series of reforms to the powerful California Public Utilities Commission in the wake of revelations after a deadly gas pipeline explosion.

Brown vetoed six bills aimed at diluting the powers of the state's top utility regulator and ensuring the commission's meetings are more open and transparent.

Emails made public last year in a lawsuit over the 2010 San Bruno explosion described then-CPUC President Michael Peevey holding private discussions with Pacific Gas & Electric officials on issues affecting the company.

Lawmakers approved several bills to create stricter rules on communications between utility companies and regulators.

Brown says in veto messages Friday that he supports more transparency but he does not want to create additional litigation that delays the board from making decisions.

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