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.
Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg says he takes Democrats’ supermajority power very seriously.
“We’re going to govern with humility but we’re also going to govern with strength. And we’re going to try to get a lot of things done for the people, there is so much to do,” says Steinberg.
Steinberg says unlike previous years when California faced huge budget deficits, lawmakers can now focus on other needs.