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California Today: Democratic Dominance in Sacramento California Today: Democratic Dominance in Sacramento
(about 2 hours later)
Good morning.Good morning.
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If there was any doubt about the Democrats’ dominance in California, it can be put to rest with their capture of two-thirds “supermajorities” in both houses of the State Legislature.If there was any doubt about the Democrats’ dominance in California, it can be put to rest with their capture of two-thirds “supermajorities” in both houses of the State Legislature.
Late votes on Monday showed that Josh Newman, a Democrat in Fullerton, had defeated Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang, a Republican in Diamond Bar, in their State Senate race, giving the Democrats 27 of the chamber’s 40 seats.Late votes on Monday showed that Josh Newman, a Democrat in Fullerton, had defeated Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang, a Republican in Diamond Bar, in their State Senate race, giving the Democrats 27 of the chamber’s 40 seats.
The Democrats had already secured a two-thirds majority in the Assembly.The Democrats had already secured a two-thirds majority in the Assembly.
Calling the victory a “remarkable milestone,” Kevin de León, the Senate president pro tempore, congratulated Mr. Newman on Monday.Calling the victory a “remarkable milestone,” Kevin de León, the Senate president pro tempore, congratulated Mr. Newman on Monday.
“I look forward to welcoming him to our enthusiastic and expanding Senate Democratic majority and working with him to continue California’s unprecedented progress,” Mr. de León said in a statement.
So, buckle up for a wave of progressive legislation out of Sacramento?So, buckle up for a wave of progressive legislation out of Sacramento?
Not quite, political analysts said.Not quite, political analysts said.
“The supermajority is way, way, way overrated,” said David Townsend, a political consultant based in Sacramento.“The supermajority is way, way, way overrated,” said David Townsend, a political consultant based in Sacramento.
Significantly, most legislation in Sacramento requires only a majority vote.Significantly, most legislation in Sacramento requires only a majority vote.
The supermajority could in theory play a role in raising taxes, one of a handful of actions that does require a two-thirds vote. Next session, for example, lawmakers are expected to debate proposals to repair the state’s crumbling highways with the help of a gas tax.The supermajority could in theory play a role in raising taxes, one of a handful of actions that does require a two-thirds vote. Next session, for example, lawmakers are expected to debate proposals to repair the state’s crumbling highways with the help of a gas tax.
But the state’s Democrats are not monolithic. A bloc of moderate Democrats, along with others who have survived bruising election fights, may be in no mood to raise taxes, analysts say.But the state’s Democrats are not monolithic. A bloc of moderate Democrats, along with others who have survived bruising election fights, may be in no mood to raise taxes, analysts say.
Darrell Steinberg, the former Senate president pro tempore, said the Democrats’ two-thirds power hardly ever came into play with legislation during his term overseeing the last Senate supermajority from 2012 to 2014.Darrell Steinberg, the former Senate president pro tempore, said the Democrats’ two-thirds power hardly ever came into play with legislation during his term overseeing the last Senate supermajority from 2012 to 2014.
“We were very wary of overreaching,” he said.“We were very wary of overreaching,” he said.
However, Mr. Steinberg added: “I would caution you that 2017 is different than 2013. I don’t know. But I think that you want to sort of lower expectations here.”However, Mr. Steinberg added: “I would caution you that 2017 is different than 2013. I don’t know. But I think that you want to sort of lower expectations here.”
The Democrats’ victory does highlight California’s growing role as the progressive counterpoint to President-elect Donald J. Trump and the Republicans. Alex Padilla, the secretary of state, lashed out at Mr. Trump a few days ago over his claim of voter fraud in California, calling it “absurd.”The Democrats’ victory does highlight California’s growing role as the progressive counterpoint to President-elect Donald J. Trump and the Republicans. Alex Padilla, the secretary of state, lashed out at Mr. Trump a few days ago over his claim of voter fraud in California, calling it “absurd.”
Democrats don’t just dominate the State Legislature, but they also hold the governorship, both of the state’s United States Senate seats and nearly three-quarters of its seats in the House of Representatives.Democrats don’t just dominate the State Legislature, but they also hold the governorship, both of the state’s United States Senate seats and nearly three-quarters of its seats in the House of Representatives.
“As much as anything,” said Bruce E. Cain, a professor of political science at Stanford University, “the supermajority achievement underscores the obvious: the Republicans are pretty much irrelevant to the policy-making process in Sacramento.”“As much as anything,” said Bruce E. Cain, a professor of political science at Stanford University, “the supermajority achievement underscores the obvious: the Republicans are pretty much irrelevant to the policy-making process in Sacramento.”
• President-elect Trump has offered no evidence for his recent claim about “serious voter fraud” in California and other states. [The New York Times]• President-elect Trump has offered no evidence for his recent claim about “serious voter fraud” in California and other states. [The New York Times]
• Darrell Issa was re-elected to his Southern California congressional seat after his first truly competitive race in more than 15 years. [The New York Times]• Darrell Issa was re-elected to his Southern California congressional seat after his first truly competitive race in more than 15 years. [The New York Times]
• Workers began demolishing a hangout at Lunada Bay in Palos Verdes Estates built by surfers who were accused of harassing non-locals. [Daily Breeze]• Workers began demolishing a hangout at Lunada Bay in Palos Verdes Estates built by surfers who were accused of harassing non-locals. [Daily Breeze]
• Officials have offered few details in the case of Sherri Papini, a Redding woman who went missing, then turned up on the side of an interstate. [The Associated Press]• Officials have offered few details in the case of Sherri Papini, a Redding woman who went missing, then turned up on the side of an interstate. [The Associated Press]
• A year after 14 people were killed in a mass shooting, San Bernardino is struggling to be more than a symbol of terror. [Los Angeles Daily News]• A year after 14 people were killed in a mass shooting, San Bernardino is struggling to be more than a symbol of terror. [Los Angeles Daily News]
• A Berkeley writer considers the gulf of privilege that lies between documented and undocumented immigrants in America. [Opinion | The New York Times]• A Berkeley writer considers the gulf of privilege that lies between documented and undocumented immigrants in America. [Opinion | The New York Times]
• “Even though some people have shunned the comparison, Black Lives Matter is our Black Power,” Rembert Browne writes. [The New York Times]• “Even though some people have shunned the comparison, Black Lives Matter is our Black Power,” Rembert Browne writes. [The New York Times]
• What Hollywood feels like when you are no longer a power player. [The New York Times]• What Hollywood feels like when you are no longer a power player. [The New York Times]
• Joe Esposito, who was Elvis Presley’s right-hand man and road manager for nearly two decades, died at his home in Calabasas. He was 78. [The New York Times]• Joe Esposito, who was Elvis Presley’s right-hand man and road manager for nearly two decades, died at his home in Calabasas. He was 78. [The New York Times]
• A mountain lion’s days may be numbered over suspicions that he killed 10 alpacas in Malibu. [LAist]• A mountain lion’s days may be numbered over suspicions that he killed 10 alpacas in Malibu. [LAist]
• The allure of California’s Central Coast: from quaint towns to a grand castle. [Orange County Register]• The allure of California’s Central Coast: from quaint towns to a grand castle. [Orange County Register]
Rainy weather over the last two months has been raising hopes of a turnaround to California’s drought.Rainy weather over the last two months has been raising hopes of a turnaround to California’s drought.
The National Weather Service said the Northern Sierra had the wettest October and November in 30 years.The National Weather Service said the Northern Sierra had the wettest October and November in 30 years.
For measurement purposes, climatologists define the start of the “water year” as Oct. 1.For measurement purposes, climatologists define the start of the “water year” as Oct. 1.
Since then, nearly 18 inches of precipitation have fallen in the Northern Sierra, where snowpack acts as a vital reservoir for the state’s water supply. That’s more than double the historical average.Since then, nearly 18 inches of precipitation have fallen in the Northern Sierra, where snowpack acts as a vital reservoir for the state’s water supply. That’s more than double the historical average.
Forecasters say another storm is expected to roll into the Sierra on Wednesday night.Forecasters say another storm is expected to roll into the Sierra on Wednesday night.
In the Central Valley, rainfall totals were also above average in cities including Stockton, Modesto and Fresno.In the Central Valley, rainfall totals were also above average in cities including Stockton, Modesto and Fresno.
Southern California, however, has so far been less encouraging.Southern California, however, has so far been less encouraging.
Downtown Los Angeles has gotten about 1.4 inches since Oct. 1, better than last year but still two-tenths of an inch below normal. At San Diego International Airport, just 0.58 inch of rain has fallen, 0.92 inch below average.Downtown Los Angeles has gotten about 1.4 inches since Oct. 1, better than last year but still two-tenths of an inch below normal. At San Diego International Airport, just 0.58 inch of rain has fallen, 0.92 inch below average.
While meteorologists are encouraged by the early signs of wet weather, they caution that the season is young. It’s too soon to predict what the coming months will bring.While meteorologists are encouraged by the early signs of wet weather, they caution that the season is young. It’s too soon to predict what the coming months will bring.
California is heading into a predicted sixth year of drought. Meteorologists say it would take five years of normal to heavy rains to revive reservoirs and groundwater supplies.California is heading into a predicted sixth year of drought. Meteorologists say it would take five years of normal to heavy rains to revive reservoirs and groundwater supplies.
Taking an even longer view, a new analysis from U.C.L.A. warned about what greenhouse gas emissions will mean for the Sierra snowpack, according to KPCC.Taking an even longer view, a new analysis from U.C.L.A. warned about what greenhouse gas emissions will mean for the Sierra snowpack, according to KPCC.
If the pollutants aren’t curbed, it said, the snowpack could be cut in half by the end of the century.If the pollutants aren’t curbed, it said, the snowpack could be cut in half by the end of the century.
California Today goes live at 6 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes.com.California Today goes live at 6 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes.com.
The California Today columnist, Mike McPhate, is a third-generation Californian — born outside Sacramento and raised in San Juan Capistrano. He lives in Davis. Follow him on Twitter.The California Today columnist, Mike McPhate, is a third-generation Californian — born outside Sacramento and raised in San Juan Capistrano. He lives in Davis. Follow him on Twitter.
California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and attended U.C. Berkeley.California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and attended U.C. Berkeley.