State lawmakers reacted to Gov. Jerry Brown’s inaugural address with praise and trepidation Monday and, in a reflection of the political dynamic in California, that was just among the governor’s fellow Democrats.
Senate President pro Tem Kevin De Leon (D-Los Angeles) said he was most excited by Brown’s ambitious new proposal for further reductions to carbon emissions and goal to have 50% of the power used in California supplied by renewable energy sources by 2030.
But the governor’s climate change proposals were greeted with muted approval by Assemblyman Henry T. Perea, a moderate Fresno Democrat, who has opposed some of the state’s current carbon reducing policies. “It’s a good aspirational goal but I think the devil is in the details,” Perea said. “What I really picked up on is the governor’s comments on making our climate change goals work within the boundaries of our economy. That’s really where we need to work on.”
Sen. Holly Mitchell, a Democrat from Los Angeles, said she was more surprised with what Brown’s speech lacked – any major emphasis on addressing the state’s high poverty rate.
“Once again, another State of the State speech and I am deeply disappointed,” Mitchell said. “If I was a mother living below the poverty line trying to raise my kids in the great innovative state of California, I would take heed that the leader of my state doesn’t acknowledge my existence and my struggle. It’s offensive.”
Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), often mindful of the sometimes frayed stitching that holds Democrats together, said she looks forward to working with the governor on expanding access to healthcare, improving the state’s infrastructure and other needs while at the same time keeping the state’s books in balance. But she spoke of other priorities that would also be part of the discussion.
Though Democrats hold a strong majority in the state Senate and Assembly, as well as every statewide office, there are newly enhanced fractures within the party among liberals and moderates, and those representing urban, suburban and rural areas of the state.
http://www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-ln-governors-speech-20150105-story.html