AM Alert: Vaccines, tractors and NASCAR | The Sacramento Bee

Senate Bill 277, which requires that kids in public school get their vaccinations no matter what beliefs their parents hold about the shots, is expected to go up for a vote in the Assembly today. The bill has been a nationwide battleground since February, and stalking, alleged racism and at least one use of the word “holocaust” have all been a part of the story.

If it passes today, it moves to the governor’s desk if the Senate concurs in Assembly amendments. A spokesperson for Gov. Jerry Brown promised only that any bill on vaccines that reaches him will be “closely considered.”

An anti-mandatory-vaccination group, calling itself a representation of the “real people” of California, has a permit for a rally at the West side of the Capitol from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m..

TRACTORS: Legislators will be riding tractors through a rice field north of the Sacramento airport today. John Deere and the Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau are sponsoring the event, which is supposed to give politicians a better idea of what farm life is like.

Jaime Minor, a lobbyist for John Deere, says the event could help lawmakers who sometimes don’t know the ins and outs of irrigation and planting.

The event is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. near the intersection of Sankey and Natomas off Highway 99.

NASCAR: Sen. Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber, is playing host to NASCAR. It’s bringing “haulers” (the rigs that carry the race cars) to do some laps around the Capitol at noon. There will be a pace car on display at 11th and L.

A proclamation Nielsen’s presenting is also making it NASCAR day.

CELEBRATIONS: Assemblyman Mike Gipson, D-Carson is 49.