Just how did a small minority in the legislature convince a large majority to back down from a sound plan...and don't say "public outcry when the truth is exposed".
The truth or a "public outcry" hasn't stopped the Democrats thus far.
I will indeed be interested in the details. But the Republicans do not totally lack leverage. For example, there's a budget battle going on that requires a 2/3 majority, and so far the Dems have been unable to peel off the 4 Republicans they need (or even to hold their own troops entirely in line). If the Republicans started boycotting Assembly floor sessions because they claimed the Democrats were violating the rules of the Legislature, that would deflect criticism that they were to blame for blocking a new budget. Democrats are already getting flack for the underhanded manner in which they passed AB 1493, and stalling it is not helping them PR-wise. There are other, more subtle, pressures the Republicans could apply.
Democrat State Senators and Assembly Members have gerrymandered themeselves into safe seats, so an AB 1493 referendum won't threaten their re-election hopes. Besides, when it comes right down to it, Democrat legislators simply don't like Gray Davis (John Burton has been famously feuding with Davis for years). Protecting Davis has it limits, and Wesson has already taken heavy flack for removing Assembly Member Dean Florez from his position as chairman of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee following the Oracle scandal hearings.
So this news is not implausible.
pffft...pfffffffffft...