California State Senate

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California State Senate

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General Information
Type:   Upper house
Partisan control:   Democratic Party
Term limits:   2 terms (8 years) if elected before 2012; 12 years if elected in or after 2012
Session start:   December 5, 2016
Website:   Official Senate Page
Leadership
Senate President:   Gavin Newsom
Majority Leader:   Bill Monning
Minority Leader:   Jean Fuller
Structure
Members:  40
   Vacancies (0)
Length of term:   4 years
Authority:   Art IV, California Constitution
Salary:   $100,113/year + per diem
Elections
Last Election:  November 8, 2016 (20 seats)
Next election:  November 6, 2018 (20 seats)
Redistricting:  California Citizens Redistricting Commission
Meeting place:
California state senate.JPG
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. It is made up of 40 state senators and meets in Sacramento. Members of the Democratic Party currently make up the majority of the California Senate.

As of the 2010 Census, each California senator represented a district with an average population of 931,349 residents.[1] After the 2000 Census, each member represented 846,791 residents.[2] Members serve four-year terms.[3] The terms of the senators are staggered so that half the membership is elected every two years. The senators representing odd-numbered districts are elected in years evenly divisible by four. The senators from even-numbered districts are elected in the intervening even-numbered years.

Since the passage of Prop 28 in 2012, legislators first elected on or after November 6, 2012, are limited to a maximum of 12 years. Prop 140, passed in 1990, affects any members elected prior to November 6, 2012, and limits them to a maximum of two four-year terms (eight years total).

The California Senate has a $100 million annual operating budget and 900 staff employees. Most senators are paid an annual salary of $116,208.[4]

Prior to the November 2016 general election, California was one of seven Democratic state government trifectas. A state government trifecta is a term used to describe "single party government," when one political party holds the governorship, a majority in the state senate, and a majority in the state house in a state's government. As a result of the 2016 election, California became one of six Democratic state government trifectas.

Altogether, the 2016 election saw the Democratic Party lose one trifecta while the Republican Party picked up a net gain of two trifectas. The 2017 state legislative sessions began with six Democratic trifectas, 25 Republican trifectas, and 19 states under divided government.[5] Read more about trifectas here.

See also: California State Legislature, California State Assembly, California Governor

Sessions

Article IV of the California Constitution establishes when the California State Legislature—of which the Senate is a part—is to be in session. Section 3 of Article IV states that the legislature is to meet in regular session on the first Monday of December in each even-numbered year to organize. The legislature adjourns by November 30 of the following even-numbered year.

Section 3 also gives the governor of California the power to call special sessions of the legislature.

2017

See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions

In 2017, the Legislature will be in session from December 5, 2016, through September 15, 2017 (projected).

2016

See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions

In 2016, the Legislature was in session from January 4 through August 31. The formal session ended on August 31, but constitutionally the session adjourned sine die on November 30.

2015

See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions

In 2015, the legislature was in session from December 1, 2014, through September 12, 2015.

Major issues

Major issues during the 2015 legislative session included medical marijuana, tuition in the University of California system, a proposed tax increase, internet privacy, regulation of web-based businesses, and healthcare for illegal immigrants.[6]

2014

See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions

In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 6 to August 30.

Major issues

Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included the biennial budget, prison overcrowding, and water bonds.[7]

2013

See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions

In 2013, the legislature was in session from December 3, 2012, to September 13, 2013.

Major issues

Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included property taxes for education and tax breaks for students.[8]

2012

See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions

In 2012, the Senate was in session from January 4 to August 31.

2011

See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions

In 2011, the Senate was in session from January 3 through September 9, 2011. The California Legislature was convened in an extraordinary session to act upon legislation that addressed the fiscal emergency proclaimed by Governor Jerry Brown on January 20, 2011.[9]

2010

See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions

In 2010, the legislature began its regular session on January 12 and was scheduled to adjourn on August 31. Additionally, the legislature adjourned one special session on January 11, 2010, had one ongoing special session that convened in October of 2009, and had another ongoing special session that convened on January 8, 2010.[10]

On July 28, 2010, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a declaration of fiscal emergency as allowed under California's constitution as approved in 2004 under Proposition 58.[11][12] Upon issuance of a declaration of fiscal emergency, the legislature immediately reconvened and was not able to adjourn until after the fiscal situation was resolved.

Role in state budget

See also: California state budget and finances
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The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[13][14]

  1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies beginning in April.
  2. Agencies submit their budget requests to the governor in September.
  3. Agency hearings are held from September through November.
  4. Public hearings are held from March through June.
  5. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature in January.
  6. The legislature adopts a budget in June. A two-thirds majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year begins July 1.

California is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[14]

The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. In turn, the legislature is legally required to adopt a balanced budget.[14]

Cost-benefit analyses

See also: Pew-MacArthur Results First Initiative Cost-Benefit Study
Map showing results of the Pew-MacArthur cost-benefit study

The Pew-MacArthur Results First Initiative released a report in July 2013 indicating that cost-benefit analysis in policymaking led to more effective uses of public funds. Looking at data from 2008 through 2011, the study's authors found that some states were more likely to use cost-benefit analysis, while others were facing challenges and lagging behind the rest of the nation. The challenges states faced included a lack of time, money, and technical skills needed to conduct comprehensive cost-benefit analyses. California was one of 29 states with mixed results regarding the frequency and effectiveness of its use of cost-benefit analysis.[15]

Ethics and transparency

Following the Money report

See also: "Following the Money" report, 2015

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group, a consumer-focused nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., released its annual report on state transparency websites in March 2015. The report, entitled "Following the Money," measured how transparent and accountable state websites are with regard to state government spending.[16] According to the report, California received a grade of F and a numerical score of 34, indicating that California was "Failing" in terms of transparency regarding state spending.[16]

Open States Transparency

See also: Open States' Legislative Data Report Card

The Sunlight Foundation released an "Open Legislative Data Report Card" in March 2013. California was given a grade of D in the report. The report card evaluated how adequate, complete, and accessible legislative data was to the general public. A total of 10 states received an A: Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Kansas, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.[17]

Elections

2018

See also: California State Senate elections, 2018

Elections for the office of California State Senate will take place in 2018. The general election will be held on November 6, 2018.

2016

See also: California State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the California State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was February 25, 2016, for candidates filing with signatures. The deadline for candidates using a filing fee to qualify was March 11, 2016.[18]

A total of 20 seats out of the 40 seats in the California State Senate were up for election in 2016. Democrats gained one seat in the November 2016 general election.

2014

See also: California State Senate elections, 2014

Elections for the California State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 7, 2014.

2012

See also: California State Senate elections, 2012

Elections for the California State Senate were held in California on November 6, 2012. State Senate seats in the odd-numbered districts were on the ballot in 2012. A total of 20 seats were up for election. In 2010, senators from even-numbered districts were up for election. In 2012, voters in the 20 odd-numbered districts went to the polls to elect senators. The signature filing deadline was March 9.

Redistricting in California in 2011 was undertaken by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission for the first time. There was the possibility that some voters would be relocated either from an odd district to an even district or vice versa. But even more specifically, there was the possibility that a senator elected in 2010 could have run in 2012 in an even-numbered district. If that were to have happened, then the odd district would have been represented by a "custodian" selected by the Rules Committee.

Additionally, if a senator in an odd district (elected in 2008) were to be moved into an even district, then the voters of that district would have two senators: the new senator and the old one elected in 2010.

California state senators are subject to term limits and may serve no more than two four-year terms. In 2012, 9 state senators were termed out.

This chamber was mentioned in a November 2012 Pew Center on the States article that addressed supermajorities at stake in the 2012 election. The term supermajority generally means a party controls two-thirds of all seats. While the implications may vary from state to state, being in this position gives a party much greater power. Democrats had been the majority party in California for over 40 years. Going into the election, they were two seats shy of a supermajority. Expanded powers of a supermajority in California include the ability to control appointments and raise taxes.[19]

The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election.

2010

See also: California State Senate elections, 2010

Elections for the California State Senate were held on November 2, 2010. State Senate seats in the even-numbered districts were on the ballot in 2010. There was also a special election for District 37 on June 8, 2010.

The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was February 25, 2010, and the primary election was held on June 8, 2010.

In 2010, the candidates running for Senate raised a total of $23,000,670 in campaign funds. Their top 10 contributors were:[20]

2008

See also: California State Senate elections, 2008

Elections for the California State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 3, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008.

During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $45,351,422. The top 10 contributors were:[21]

2006

See also: California State Senate elections, 2006

Elections for the California State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 6, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006.

During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $36,599,292. The top 10 contributors were:[22]

2004

See also: California State Senate elections, 2004

Elections for the California State Senate consisted of a primary election on March 2, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004.

During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $39,487,973. The top 10 contributors were:[23]

2002

See also: California State Senate elections, 2002

Elections for the California State Senate consisted of a primary election on March 5, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002.

During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $34,311,200. The top 10 contributors were:[24]

2000

See also: California State Senate elections, 2000

Elections for the California State Senate consisted of a primary election on March 7, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000.

During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $49,599,033. The top 10 contributors were:[25]

Qualifications

According to Article IV of the California Constitution, a candidate for the Senate must be:

  • a citizen of the U.S.;
  • a state resident for at least three years;
  • a resident of his or her legislative district for at least one year; and
  • a registered voter in that district by the time nomination papers are filed.[26]

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures
How vacancies are filled in state legislatures
NevadaMassachusettsColoradoNew MexicoWyomingArizonaMontanaCaliforniaOregonWashingtonIdahoTexasOklahomaKansasNebraskaSouth DakotaNorth DakotaMinnesotaIowaMissouriArkansasLouisianaMississippiAlabamaGeorgiaFloridaSouth CarolinaIllinoisWisconsinTennesseeNorth CarolinaIndianaOhioKentuckyPennsylvaniaNew JerseyNew YorkVermontVermontNew HampshireMaineWest VirginiaVirginiaMarylandMarylandConnecticutConnecticutDelawareDelawareRhode IslandRhode IslandMassachusettsNew HampshireMichiganMichiganAlaskaVacancy fulfillment map.png

If there is a vacancy in the Senate, the governor must call for a special election. The election must be called by the governor within 14 days of the vacancy being created. No special election can be held if the vacancy happened in an election year and the nominating deadline passed.[27]

Redistricting

See also: Redistricting in California

The California Citizens Redistricting Commission—made up of five Democrats, five Republicans, and four independents—is responsible for redistricting.

2010 Census

California received its local census data on March 7, 2011.[28] The fastest-growing counties were Riverside (41.7 percent), Placer (40.3 percent), and Kern (26.9 percent)—all inland locations.[29]

The California Citizens Redistricting Commission approved maps on August 15, 2011. The final votes were 13-1 on the Senate and Assembly maps and 12-2 on the congressional map. Republican Michael Ward voted no to both maps, while Jodie Filkins Webber joined Ward in dissenting on the congressional map. A referendum to overturn the Senate map was initiated in August 2011.[30][31]

Senators

Partisan composition

See also: Partisan composition of state senates
Party As of February 2017
     Democratic Party 27
     Republican Party 13
     Vacancies 0
Total 40

The chart below shows the partisan composition of the California State Senate from 1992 to 2013. The Democratic Party has held majority control since 1992.
Partisan composition of the California State Senate.PNG

Leadership

The lieutenant governor serves as president of the Senate but only casts a vote in the case of a tie. The president pro tempore, who is elected by full senate caucus, more often than not presides over the daily Senate session and serves as the leader of the majority party.

Current leadership

Gavin Newsom.jpg

Senate President

Gavin Newsom

Kevin De Leon.jpg

President Pro Tempore

Kevin de Leon

Bill Monning.jpg

Majority Leader

Bill Monning

Jean Fuller.jpg

Minority Leader

Jean Fuller

Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislators
SalaryPer diem
$104,115/year$176/day for each day in session.

Senatorial pay is set by the California Citizens Compensation Commission. In 2009, it voted to cut legislators' salaries by 18 percent, effective in December 2010.[4] In June 2009, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg recommended that senators and staffers take a 5 percent pay cut in the face of the state's budget troubles.[4]

Pension

California does not provide pensions for legislators who took office after 1990.[32]

When sworn in

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

California legislators assume office one month after their election (December).

Current members

Thumb
Current members, California State Senate
District Senator Party Assumed office
1 Ted Gaines Ends.png Republican 2011
2 Mike McGuire Electiondot.png Democratic 2014
3 Bill Dodd Electiondot.png Democratic 2016
4 Jim Nielsen Ends.png Republican 2013
5 Cathleen Galgiani Electiondot.png Democratic 2012
6 Richard Pan Electiondot.png Democratic 2014
7 Steve Glazer Electiondot.png Democratic 2015
8 Tom Berryhill Ends.png Republican 2010
9 Nancy Skinner Electiondot.png Democratic 2016
10 Bob Wieckowski Electiondot.png Democratic 2014
11 Scott Wiener Electiondot.png Democratic 2016
12 Anthony Cannella Ends.png Republican 2010
13 Gerald Hill Electiondot.png Democratic 2012
14 Andy Vidak Ends.png Republican 2013
15 James Beall Jr. Electiondot.png Democratic 2012
16 Jean Fuller Ends.png Republican 2010
17 Bill Monning Electiondot.png Democratic 2012
18 Robert Hertzberg Electiondot.png Democratic 2014
19 Hannah-Beth Jackson Electiondot.png Democratic 2012
20 Connie M. Leyva Electiondot.png Democratic 2014
21 Scott Wilk Ends.png Republican 2016
22 Edward Hernandez Electiondot.png Democratic 2010
23 Mike Morrell Ends.png Republican 2014
24 Kevin de León Electiondot.png Democratic 2010
25 Anthony Portantino, Jr. Electiondot.png Democratic 2016
26 Ben Allen Electiondot.png Democratic 2014
27 Henry Stern Electiondot.png Democratic 2016
28 Jeff Stone Ends.png Republican 2014
29 Josh Newman Electiondot.png Democratic 2016
30 Holly Mitchell Electiondot.png Democratic 2013
31 Richard Roth Electiondot.png Democratic 2012
32 Tony Mendoza Electiondot.png Democratic 2014
33 Ricardo Lara Electiondot.png Democratic 2012
34 Janet Nguyen Ends.png Republican 2014
35 Steven Bradford Electiondot.png Democratic 2016
36 Patricia C. Bates Ends.png Republican 2014
37 John Moorlach Ends.png Republican 2015
38 Joel Anderson Ends.png Republican 2010
39 Toni Atkins Electiondot.png Democratic 2016
40 Ben Hueso Electiondot.png Democratic 2013

Senate committees

The California Senate has 22 standing committees:

History

Partisan balance 1992-2013

Who Runs the States Project
See also: Who Runs the States and Who Runs the States, California
Partisan breakdown of the California Legislature from 1992 to 2013

From 1992 to 2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the California State Senate for all 22 years. The California State Senate is one of 16 state senates that was Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992 and 2013. During the final three years of the study, California was under Democratic trifectas.

Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.

Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states—the most in the 22 years studied.

The chart below shows the partisan composition of the California governorship, the California State Senate, and the California State Assembly from 1992 to 2013.

Partisan composition of California state government (1992-2013)

SQLI and partisanship

To read the full report on the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, click here.

The chart below depicts the partisanship of the California state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1 to 50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. California has never had a Republican trifecta, but it did have Democratic trifectas between the years 1999 and 2003 and again after 2010 to the present. California fell steadily in the SQLI ranking until finally reaching the bottom 10 in 2010. The state reached its highest ranking (28th) in 1998 and 1999, first under divided government and then under a Democratic trifecta. The state’s lowest ranking (48th) occurred recently in 2012 under a Democratic trifecta. Except for the years 1995 and 1996, the California Legislature has been consistently under Democratic control.

  • SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: 37.00
  • SQLI average with Republican trifecta: N/A
  • SQLI average with divided government: 35.21
Chart displaying the partisanship of California government from 1992 to 2013 and the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI)

See also

External links

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Footnotes

  1. ↑ U.S. Census Bureau, "Population Distribution and Change: 2000 to 2010," accessed January 6, 2014
  2. ↑ U.S. Census Bureau, "States Ranked by Population: 2000," April 2, 2001
  3. ↑ California Legislative Information, "Article IV Legislative (Sec. 1 - Sec. 28)," accessed April 21, 2015
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 The Sacramento Bee, "California Senate salary freeze comes after raises," accessed April 23, 2015
  5. ↑ This includes Connecticut and Delaware where the senates began the 2017 legislative sessions with Democrats in control through tie-breaking votes.
  6. ↑ The Sacramento Bee, "Key issues for returning California Legislature," January 5, 2015
  7. ↑ Association of California Water Agencies, "2014 Legislative Year Begins in Sacramento," January 6, 2014
  8. ↑ San Francisco Chronicle, "Calif. Democrats ponder their new power," December 2, 2012
  9. ↑ National Center for State Legislatures, "2011 Legislative Sessions Calendar," accessed April 21, 2015
  10. ↑ National Center for State Legislatures, "Session dates for California legislature, 2010," accessed April 21, 2015
  11. ↑ Office of the Governor, "Gov. Schwarzenegger Declares State of Emergency, Issues Executive Order to Impose Furloughs Due to Cash Crisis Caused By Budget Impasse," accessed August 24, 2010
  12. ↑ Office of the Governor, "Executive Order S-12-10," accessed August 24, 2010
  13. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Experiences with Annual and Biennial Budgeting," updated April 2011
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Summer 2008," accessed February 21, 2014
  15. ↑ Pew Charitable Trusts, "States’ Use of Cost-Benefit Analysis," July 29, 2013
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 U.S. Public Interest Research Group, "Following the Money 2015 Report," accessed April 4, 2016
  17. ↑ Sunlight Foundation, "Ten Principles for Opening Up Government Information," accessed June 16, 2013
  18. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed January 11, 2016
  19. ↑ PEW Charitable Trusts, "In Legislative Elections, Majorities and Supermajorities at Stake," November 2, 2012
  20. ↑ Follow the Money, "California Senate 2010 Campaign Contributions," accessed April 23, 2015
  21. ↑ Follow the Money, "California 2008 Candidates," accessed June 18, 2013
  22. ↑ Follow the Money, "California 2006 Candidates," accessed June 18, 2013
  23. ↑ Follow the Money, "California 2004 Candidates," accessed June 18, 2013
  24. ↑ Follow the Money, "California 2002 Candidates," accessed June 18, 2013
  25. ↑ Follow the Money, "California 2000 Candidates," accessed June 18, 2013
  26. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Qualifications for State Legislature," accessed December 16, 2013
  27. ↑ Justia, "California Code," accessed December 16, 2013
  28. ↑ United States Census Bureau, "California: 2010," accessed April 21, 2015
  29. ↑ Ventura County Star, "With numbers now established, redistricting debate begins," March 9, 2011
  30. ↑ Los Angeles Times, "Redistricting-plan opponents given OK to begin referendum drive," August 26, 2011
  31. ↑ Ventura County Star, "Redistricting Commission gives final approval to new political maps," August 15, 2011
  32. ↑ USA Today, "State-by-state: Benefits available to state legislators," September 23, 2011
v • e
Democrat majority Current members of the California Senate
Senate President: Gavin Newsom (D) • Majority Leader: Bill Monning (D) • Minority Leader: Jean Fuller (R)
Democratic (27) • Republican (13) • Vacancies (0)
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