In a decision that will rank as the most shameful in the history of the California Senate, the leadership has abandoned the legislature’s role – and especially the Senate’s role – as the central decision-making organ in the state government.
Say What?? How can they do that?
Davis had his Big 5 meetings and I guess it stuck, How? Why? Good question.
I don't think they can, legally. This is looks like another dark of night payoff, with Arnold's clear complicity.
Who's going to sue?
Just more "Open" Gubamint.. kind of reminds you of that most ethical gubamint ever claim by Clinton when he took office...
and the band played on as the ship proceeded at full ahead thru the ice field, Susan Kennedy ensconced with her partner in the Crow's Nest lookout.
Its late so I'm hoping the question was sarcasm and we aren't both embarrassed by this response.
Under the ordinary system of US politics there are only two significant partisan factions. No matter how these factions are distributed among the governing bodies, a normal, intended process of governance occurs. Even the minority has their 15 minutes of fame.
California's current system is broken. It is has been perverted by the political class. There is only one faction in the governance. The elite class. Both partisan factions have carved out a slice of the resultant spoils of this ordinarily prohibited class.
The executive is willing to work with the majority, partisan faction in the legislature with no regard to the republican (small r) responsibilities of their office. The corrupted leadership of the minority, partisan faction in the legislature, also certain that there is little consequence to breaching their republican obligations, is willing to work with the majority faction, as long as they, the minority leadership, gets their small slice of the pie for their district.
Compounding this odd situation and making it truly unique is the fact that the executive is occupied by a group that is closer in principle to their partisan opponent's philosophies that that of their own party.
Even today all legislators have a role in the process but the drama is unique. The majority faction votes in lockstep because, the legislation is, after all, of their own hand. Minority factions ordinarily present an obstacle that the majority must surmount by negotiations. Not in this case.
Corrupt, legislative, minority, party leaders have already cut a deal with both the opposition in the legislature and the executive. Under these unique circumstances individual, minority party, member's votes simply don't matter. The majority, combined with the scoundrels in the minority's leadership, assured of the cooperation of the corrupt executive, control in excess of 66% of the vote and can do anything they want. The minority party faithful can pound sand. The executive won't empower the minority because the legislation being decided is also of their own hand.
Ironically the system works well because of the support of the partisan idiots that we often encounter on this forum. When you are challenged by the FairOpinion account just reflect upon the corruption in Dick Akerman, Kevin McCarthy, Duf Sundheim and the Wilsonegger gang that this account supports and enables.