Democrats striving for legislative supermajority
May 7, 2012
Not since the 70s have Democrats held a supermajority in a chamber of the state legislature. But that could change as the result of the upcoming primary and November election. [SanFranciscoChronicle]
The Democratic Party needs only two seats in both the Senate and Assembly to meet that milestone, though it is more likely to occur in the Senate.
With a two-thirds majority in the Senate, Democratic lawmakers would have enough votes in that chamber “to approve tax increases, override the governor’s vetoes, and bypass legislative rules and deadlines,” the Chronicle reported.
Democrats currently hold 25 of the 40 seats in the Senate. And because of recently redrawn district lines, they could pick up as many as four additional seats.
The decision by 17th Senate District incumbent Sen. Sam Blakeslee, R-San Luis Obispo, not to run again will probably assure a win for Assemblyman Bill Monning, D-Santa Cruz.
Even so, Republicans remain hopeful that if their candidates focus on jobs and the economy, they will keep the Democrats from reaching a supermajority.
On the Assembly side, Republicans contend they can increase their membership by as many as three seats for a total of 31, leaving the Democrats with 49. Currently the Democrats hold 52 seats and the Republicans have 28.
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