New Lawmakers Sworn in, Giving Democrats Full Control

Enlarge image

Credit Amy Quinton

Lawmakers take their oath of office at the capitol on Monday

California’s newly-elected legislature is now officially sworn in, and Democrats hold supermajorities in both chambers.  But as Ben Adler reports from Sacramento, legislative leaders are making a point of being modest.

The entire Assembly and half the Senate took their oaths on Monday, giving Democrats the power they’ve long craved – the ability to raise taxes.  But voters just did that for them, approving Prop 30 last month, and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg says that’s enough for now:

“I just don’t think we should come hurdling out of the gates talking about a bunch of new taxes.” 

Republicans now hold little if any sway at the Capitol, but Assembly Speaker John Pérez is assuring GOP lawmakers that their voices are welcome:

“I know what it feels like to be excluded.  The last thing I want to do as speaker is exclude anybody else.” 

The legislature quickly recessed until the new year.