democrats

Vidak's Upset Win Carries Statewide Implications

Joe Moore — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:45:17 +0000

On Tuesday night Hanford Republican Andy Vidak scored what many are calling a surprise victory in the special election to replace former state senator Michael Rubio in the 16th senate district. Despite a sizable voter registration edge for Democrats, Vidak carried over 50 percent of the vote, enough to avoid a July runoff with the top Democrat, former Rubio staffer and current Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez.

Legislative Democrats Want to Restore Budget Cuts, But Priorities Differ

Ben Adler — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:18:57 +0000

As California budget talks head into their final weeks, supporters of programs suffering from years of cuts are asking for help. Governor Jerry Brown opposes any new spending. But as Ben Adler reports from Sacramento, Assembly and Senate Democrats have different programs in which they'd like to invest.

Democrats Pushing to Limit Prop 13

Katie Orr — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:21:13 +0000

Some Democrats at the Capitol are attempting to chip away at California’s fabled Prop 13. But supporters of the property tax limiting measure are digging in to fight back. Katie Orr reports from Sacramento.

Proposition 13 limits property taxes in California. But it also requires a two-thirds vote of the public to increase any special taxes. Six Democratic sponsored bills making their way through the Senate would lower that voter requirement to 55 percent approval.

Lawmakers React to Brown's Budget Revision

Katie Orr — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:10:00 +0000

Republicans at the State Capitol are pleased Governor Jerry Brown is taking a more moderate approach to spending California’s budget surplus. But they still have some criticisms. Katie Orr reports from Sacramento.

No formal rainy day fund, no acknowledgement of possible union pay raises, high taxes that hurt business. State Republicans listed those as among their top concerns with the Governor’s May budget revision.

State of the State: Brown Says California 'Has Confounded Critics'

Marianne Russ — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 01:32:55 +0000

California Governor Jerry Brown says California has “confounded our critics.”

“We have wrought in just two years a solid and enduring budget and by God, we will preserve and keep it that way for years to come," said Brown.

In California Legislature, Moderate Democrats Hold Leverage

Ben Adler — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:47:00 +0000

The most important members of the California legislature this year might not be the two Democratic leaders - despite the two-thirds supermajorities they hold in each chamber. And it almost certainly won't be the Republicans.

They've been courted for key votes in recent years but now don't have the numbers to block any bills on their own. As Ben Adler reports from Sacramento, the leverage in this legislative session may well lie with a newly-critical voting bloc: moderate Democrats.

Brown Budget Proposal Marks New Era at Capitol

Ben Adler and Amy Quinton — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 18:55:47 +0000

Governor Jerry Brown’s new California budget proposal marks an end to the crippling deficits that have plagued California for years. It’s also an attempt to make major policy changes – without big increases in spending. But the governor’s message of fiscal restraint could find a warmer reception from Republicans than from his fellow Democrats. Capital Public Radio's Ben Adler and Amy Quinton bring us this two-part report from Sacramento.

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California Lawmakers Respond To Budget With Some Relief

Amy Quinton — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:52:07 +0000

Most California lawmakers say they agree with Governor Jerry Brown that now is the time for fiscal discipline in light of a balanced budget.

But as Amy Quinton reports from Sacramento, Democratic lawmakers have not ruled out restoring some cuts.

Legislative Democratic leaders expressed relief at the announcement of a balanced budget. They say the extra $2.7 billion in education funding is also a step in the right direction.

Senate Budget Chair Mark Leno says lawmakers are now in a position to talk about policy rather than cuts.

California Lawmakers Return To State Capitol

Amy Quinton — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 20:11:12 +0000

The start of the New Year brings California lawmakers back to the Capitol. As Amy Quinton reports from Sacramento, Democratic leaders anticipate a heavy work schedule.

Reforming California’s Environmental Quality Act, restoring cuts to education, fixing the state’s ballot initiative process and campaign finance reform, those are just a few of the issues lawmakers will likely contend with this session.

Democrats return with a supermajority in both chambers, even with two Senators recently resigning to serve in Congress.

Progressives Want Legislative Democrats to Wield Supermajority Power

Amy Quinton — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 17:48:48 +0000

Now that Democrats hold a supermajority in both chambers of the California legislature, activists want them to use it to push a more progressive agenda.

Progressives say they want lawmakers to restore cuts they say hurt the most vulnerable Californians, such as cuts to education, social services, and health care.

Joshua Pechthalt is President of the California Federation of Teachers. He says elected officials shouldn’t worry about a voter backlash similar to what happened in the 2010 elections.