California Democrats bid for two-thirds control of state Senate

[alp227]

Bill Berryhill's pitch to voters at a recent candidates forum came down to more than just his positions on issues affecting San Joaquin County's 5th Senate District.

It was about the balance of power in the Capitol.

"Do you realize if one party gets sole power, you think you're taxed to the max now? Guess what? You better grab your wallet, because they only have one way to go and that's to tax and spend, tax and spend," the Republican assemblyman told the crowd at Tracy's Kimball High.

Berryhill is running in one of a handful of newly drawn swing seats that will determine whether Democrats capture a supermajority in the upper house for the first time since 1965.

(...)

Democrats also are two seats away from two-thirds in the Assembly, but experts doubt they can pick up those districts this year. With fewer opportunities based on the maps, observers say it's tough to handicap future races until the first run of the state's new primary system is complete.

For Democrats, supermajority control could put an end to years of often unsuccessful negotiations with the minority party over taxes, constitutional amendments and other issues that require a two-thirds vote.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/28/4520612/california-democrats-bid-for-two.html

[pinto]

1. The 2/3 rule in the state senate is a recipe for gridlock. Would love to see it overturned.