CALIFORNIA: Democrats set to boost state Senate clout

Sacramento Bee ^ | 2/21/12 | Dan Walters

[SmithL]

When Republican Assemblyman Cameron Smyth decided to leave the Legislature rather than run for the state Senate this year, it virtually guaranteed that Democrats will achieve a two-thirds supermajority in the Senate, changing the Capitol's political dynamics.

Having already won – via a 2010 ballot measure – the right to pass budgets by simple majority votes, Democrats would gain more power in the Senate over other issues, such as taxes.

That would, in turn, isolate Republicans in the Assembly, who are likely to retain more than a third of the lower house's 80 seats this year, and could even gain one or two. They could still block tax increases, constitutional amendments and other measures requiring two-thirds votes.

The die was cast for a Democratic supermajority in the Senate when the state's new independent redistricting commission redrew its 40 districts.

[stevie_d_64]

You know, I loved San Diego...I miss it for a lot of reasons...I miss the friends I served with...

I’ll leave the light on for y’all (in Texas) when you need to move...

It’s not a perfect state...There are many like it, but there is just something about it that can, at times, cause you to wonder why did I take so long to get here!!! hehehe

[OrioleFan]

Recognizing you have a problem is part of the solution.

Obviously, Californians haven’t recognized they have a problem.

[Mr. Jeeves]

The best solution in California and the rest of the country is for all Republicans to immediately re-register as Democrats and all Republican candidates to switch parties. The voters have been trained to vote for the letter (D), not liberal principles, and a lot more conservative voices would have a chance to rise if they had a (D) after their name.

The Welfare State Media would freak out and go into total melt-down mode, but the Left's policy of relying on stupid voters, state dependents, and vote fraud would have to end - and fast. :)