The new California Legislature takes office Monday, with all 80 Assembly members and half of the 40-member Senate being sworn in. Democrats will still hold strong majorities in both chambers – but not supermajorities.
The California GOP didn’t win any statewide races this election cycle. And it lost ground in Congress. But its effort to regain relevance in the California Legislature paid off.
Republicans broke Democrats’ supermajorities in both the Senate and the Assembly. That doesn’t give the GOP a say in state budget talks or routine legislation. But it does mean Republicans will have a voice on bills that require a two-thirds vote – such as tax increases and constitutional amendments.
Today’s session is just an organizational one – a chance for speeches and bill introductions. The real business gets under way in January, in time for Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget introduction and State of the State address.
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