Democrats Gain Supermajority in Calif. Senate

Democrats have gained a two-thirds majority in the California Senate, giving them the ability to pass tax increases and take other steps without the need for Republican votes.
 
It is the first time since 1965 that Democrats controlled a Senate supermajority, and the only time since California voters passed Proposition 13 in 1978, raising the legislative vote threshold to pass tax increases to two-thirds.
 
Democrats will control at least 27 seats in the 40-member Senate and are closing in on the margin in the Assembly after Tuesday's election.
 
Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento says Democrats' dominance provides ``an opportunity to begin a new and better California.''
 
Senate Minority Leader Bob Huff, a Republican from Diamond Bar, says he will work with Democrats to create more jobs.