Skip to content
Independent and accessible public media is needed more than ever.
Help us continue keeping communities informed and inspired.
Keep public media independent and accessible
Donate Now

View thank you gift options

CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • State Government
  •  

Ninety-Third California Legislature Convenes At State Capitol

  •  Ben Adler 
Tuesday, December 4, 2018 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Ben Adler/Capital Public Radio

California Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins addresses her colleagues on the first day of the Legislature's 2018-2019 session. She lauded past successes but acknowledged both internal and external challenges facing the Legislature.

Ben Adler/Capital Public Radio

California lawmakers took their oaths of office for the Legislature’s 2018-2019 session Monday at the state Capitol with promises to fight poverty, homelessness and wildfires.

Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins of San Diego told her colleagues in opening remarks that although lawmakers have accomplished a lot in recent years, they haven’t done enough.

“The gulf between haves and have-nots in this state is as wide as our legendary Central Valley is vast, and it’s only growing,” she said. “I challenge each of you to search within yourselves this session to find the urgency we will need to match the task before us.”

Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon of Lakewood opened his remarks by remembering the victims of California wildfires — and of gun violence.

“Let us all go beyond the usual moment of silence and use this moment to consider what we are here for, which is to make life better for every Californian,” he said. “Let’s think about what we will do in the next two years.”

Rendon then promised the Legislature would fight to make the state’s economy more just and fair — for workers, for homeless people, and for other Californians struggling to get by.

“How can we be proud of our vibrant tech economy — the envy of the world — if the undeniably brilliant minds of that sector are used only to generate huge personal wealth for a few, and misery for others?” he said. “We must use our technological resources to improve the lives of workers as well as investors. For the homeless as well as the tourists and the homeowners who have extra rooms to rent out.”

California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye administered the oath of office to the 20 of the 40 senators beginning new terms. Over in the Assembly, all 80 members took the oath administered by Attorney General Xavier Becerra.

Democrats now control 60 of 80 Assembly seats and 29 of 40 Senate districts after their victories in California congressional races trickled down to the state Legislature. Republicans promised to work with Democrats on bipartisan challenges from housing affordability to wildfire prevention.

“In a lot of ways, California leads the way on a lot of issues,” said Assemblywoman Marie Waldron of Escondido, who just took over as Assembly Republican Leader in recent weeks. “So we just need to make sure we’re resonating with the residents of California and being active in our districts and working for the people.”

“I like to say that I surfed the blue wave and I landed on the shore,” quipped Senate Republican Leader Pat Bates, who nearly lost her Orange County seat. “And I’m here to continue my work.”

The lieutenant governor always presides over the state Senate’s inaugural session. But this time, it happened to be California’s governor-elect, Gavin Newsom, whose own inauguration comes next month.

“If you’re wondering why I’m here, I’ll remind you, I am the president of the Senate,” Newsom joked as he gaveled in the upper chamber. “Ninety-eight percent of you forgot!”

But the governor-elect may already be trying to tamp down expectations, despite his party’s legislative supermajority.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremonies concluded, Newsom warned backers not to expect immediate gratification when he gets sworn in early next month. Right now, he said, he’s focused on his transition and his first state budget proposal.

“I don’t want to under-promise in just purely political terms, but I do want to suggest, this is a(n) enormous task – a transition – just the personnel issues, the budget,” he said. “Trying to get all of that right in a very short period of time is profoundly difficult. So I don’t want people to feel like we’re coming out of the box with too much, because I think they’ll be left wanting.”

During the campaign, Newsom promised to fight for single-payer health care, universal preschool, and more funding for universities and state welfare grants.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    Related Stories

  • AP Photo / Rich Pedroncelli

    Capitol Chat: California Legislature Back in Session

    Tuesday, December 4, 2018
    CapRadio Capitol Bureau Chief Ben Adler joins us for Capitol Chat to talk about lawmakers' first day of work at the State Capitol for the 2018-2019 legislative session Monday.

Ben Adler

Director of Programming and Audience Development

Director of Programming and Audience Development Ben Adler first became a public radio listener in the car on his way to preschool — though not necessarily by choice.  Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More State Government Stories

Kris Hooks / CapRadio

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Here's what it means for California.

June 24, 2022

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

Let’s make a deal: What to know about the California budget

June 29, 2022

AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu

How California created the nation’s easiest abortion access — and why it’s poised to go further

June 24, 2022

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Composting starts soon in Sacramento County. Here’s what you need to know.

California coronavirus updates: FDA advisors recommend new formulation for COVID-19 booster shots

California coronavirus updates: Court revives block of federal vaccination mandate

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Composting starts soon in Sacramento County. Here’s what you need to know.

California coronavirus updates: FDA advisors recommend new formulation for COVID-19 booster shots

California coronavirus updates: Court revives block of federal vaccination mandate

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.