I think it was in 1968 that then-Governor Reagan signed the law that started the payroll deduction for state income taxes. That made it much easier to raise taxes 'cause nobody noticed a couple of bucks more being deducted from their paychecks.
I believe it was then in 1971 that the state legislature decided that they simply must start meeting full-time. Never give those ratty politicians access to more money. It makes them go crazy.
Well, you are not quite right. I moved to CA in 1970 and there was no payroll withholding. I think it started in 1972.