11-19-2002 CC RPT 41A - Laserfiche WebLink

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DATE: 11-19-02 ITEM NO. 41a November 8, 2002 Issue #40-2002 Table of Contents Click on an article to jump dfrectly to the full story. November Elections Brinq Small but Important Chanqes to the Leqislature; Governor is Reelected in a Closer Race than Anticipated; Democrats Take All State Constitutional Offices Voters StronRly Endorse Proposition 46 to Meet Housinq Need-~ Cities' Utility User Taxes: Election Update Voters Approve LeaRue-Supported HousinR and Schools Ballot Measures; Selective Treatment of Other Measures CA Leaque Of Cities' President John Russo Makes Case For Revampin,q State's Tax System Information Technoloqy Award Winners November Elections Bring Small but Important Changes to the Legislature; Governor is Reelected in a Closer Race than Anticipated; Democrats Take All State Constitutional Offices California voters this week elected Democrats to all of the state constitutional offices, largely bucking a national trend in which the Republicans strengthened their control over the House of Representatives and regained control of the U.S. Senate. The Republican "wave" swept over most other states, where Republicans gained or strengthened control over a number of state houses as well as winning the Governor's office. While California did, once again, separate itself from these nationwide trends, there were some important changes in the state's elections, especially in the state Assembly. Keep in mind that 54 votes are needed to pass a state budget. Prior to the November elections, Democrats held 50 seats in the Assembly with the Republicans holding the remaining 30 seats. In this week's election Democrats lost at least two Assembly seats, with a third seat that may be decided on a count of absentee ballots. This means that next year six or possibly seven Republican votes will be needed to achieve the 54 votes required to pass a state budget. It was not easy to secure the four Republican votes needed for passage this year. It may be a long budget debate next year. In the state Senate, the Democrats held on to the 26 votes they had before the election, with the Republicans retaining 14. However, one of the Senate seats may also be decided later with an absentee ballot count. If the Democrats loose that seat, they will hold only 25 seats. A total of 27 votes are needed for passage of a budget in that house. Page 1 of 6 41a-1