It’s past the half-way mark in this year’s session of the state Legislature. One political expert sees a change in tone on the way.
So far the legislative action has been in House committees. Jeremy Alford, publisher of LA Politics Weekly, says the second half is being controlled by Senate lawmakers in a much different political situation than their colleagues chairing major House panels.
“They’re all term-limited," Alford says. "They’re a very soft-spoken bunch, very deliberate. Meanwhile that whole debate in the Senate in the final three-and-a-half, four weeks. And the folks over there are likely going to end up back in their seats next year. They’re running for re-election this fall. There’s a bit of bravado and John Wayne demeanor over on the Senate side. So I think we’re going to see more twists and turns to come.”
Alford says he expects lawmakers will be looking at a cigarette tax hike, along with cutbacks in solar and film tax credits.
