Skelton: Emboldened Democrats face more risks in Sacramento

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Right now, California Democrats are riding high after a wave of election victories could give them unprecedented control over Sacramento.

But George Skelton says in his Thursday column that such power comes with severe risks for Gov. Jerry Brown and his party.

‘History teaches us what absolute power can do: affix blinders and corrupt,’ Skelton says. ‘If this power is bestowed, the culpability at the Capitol will be entirely on Democrats. They’ll be solely accountable, responsible for rerouting California back onto the right path.’

Democrats are expecting to win supermajorities in both houses of the Legislature. They’re still waiting on final results from Assembly races, and they’ll need to hold onto at least one state Senate seat in upcoming special elections.

The governor will also be under pressure to deliver the budget relief he promised now that voters have approved his tax-hike plan.

‘Brown sold his Proposition 30 tax increase largely on the premise that it would stanch the budget bleeding,’ Skelton writes. ‘He’d better hope that’s what happens and that state revenues don’t continue to fall short of spending. Because voters never like to be fooled.’

All of Skelton’s columns are here.

ALSO:

Skelton: Brown isn’t making clear case for tax hikes

Brown found path to Prop 30. victory in a divided California

Blue reign in Sacramento: Democrats dominate California voting

Blue reign in Sacramento: Democrats dominate California voting