So where is the legislation that allowed this to happen, and what do we do to get it abolished?
Is anyone on the forum good at ferreting out bad laws?
The Sixteenth Amendment.
Beyond the range of your weapon your only protection is at the polling place.
From the 19th century through WWII the polling place did provide California taxpayers some modicum of protection from the tyranny of elected officials. Since the "new deal" era however taxpayers have slowly had their franchise eroded and been relegated to a position of witness to the process. Today a taxpayer's individual influence is generally limited to the executive branch and we all are painfully aware how fragile that franchise has become.
Like death and taxes two things are obvious in California politics today. Who represents your political district is your choice and generally reflects the extent of your interest/participation in the process. It is easy for a charming charlatan to hijack the executive in troubled times.
Be careful how you vote. Choose your representative based on principal, not emotions. There will always be a Gilbert Cedillo or an Arnold Schwarzenegger waiting in the wings to charm your fancies. Think first, vote second.