The entire Assembly and half the Senate took their oaths
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:
Steinberg: "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:
Pérez: "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.