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This Week Inside the Capitol

December 6, 2010

They’re Back!

by Rebecca Burgoyne, 
CFC Research Analyst

Legislators Return to Sacramento
Legislators return to Sacramento today for a short organizational session beginning the 2011-2012 legislative session, bringing life back to the Capitol’s hallways, which have been quiet since the 2010 legislative session was capped with a “get-out-of-town” budget in early October. While legislators adjourned to campaign trails, the reality of their gimmick-laden $86.5 billion budget became apparent almost immediately, and the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office projected a shortfall of $25.4 billion over the next 18 months.

Immediately, the focus for the 2011 legislative session became budget, budget, budget, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he would call a December special session to tackle the $6 billion deficit in the current year budget. However, the majority Democrats in the Legislature seemingly prefer waiting, to deal with Governor-elect Jerry Brown in January, although they may not find the situation any easier then. While voters approved Proposition 25, lowering the vote threshold for budget passage to a simple majority, they maintained their distrust of Sacramento by passing several other initiatives to limit actions legislators might take to pass a budget. Brown himself remains somewhat of an enigma with unorthodox tendencies and a reputation for going head-to-head with fellow Democrats. 

Brown, who has remained virtually cloistered working on his first budget proposal – due out in early January – has announced a budget forum in Sacramento on Wednesday.

This week’s Capitol activities will otherwise remain largely ceremonial and organizational. New legislators will be sworn in and go through an orientation. Legislators will adopt rules to govern their upcoming session and will also begin bill introductions, giving Capitol watchers a hint of what is to come. After the Christmas holiday, bill introductions will continue in January and February, giving way to committee hearings in the spring.

Bills can be re-runs – identical or slightly reworked proposals from past years – or totally new ideas. Already there are plans by homosexual activists to repeat last year’s vetoed civil marriage bill (SB 906) and several other failed ideas. A record number of seven openly homosexual members – 5 in the Assembly and 2 in the Senate – assures that GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender) issues will remain on the radar this year.

Other bill topics likely will be drawn from leaders’ pet interests, key topics du jour like health care, water supply, and budget reform, and areas with near universal appeal and interest like crime and child protection.   Democrats – in the driver’s seat in both the Legislature and the governor’s office – will be able to steer most policy priorities – moderated only by finances and public opinion. As bill introductions begin this week and in January, CFC will track and inform you of legislative proposals of key interest to you and your family. 
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