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California lawmakers deliver for liberals on climate, wages

Republican lawmakers Don Wagner, of Irvine, and Shannon Grove, of Bakersfield, say goodbye after the Assembly adjourned at the end of their two-year legislative session in the early morning hours of Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in Sacramento, Calif. Both lawmakers are leaving the Assembly due to term limits. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Republican lawmakers Don Wagner, of Irvine, and Shannon Grove, of Bakersfield, say goodbye after the Assembly adjourned at the end of their two-year legislative session in the early morning hours of Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in Sacramento, Calif. Both lawmakers are leaving the Assembly due to term limits. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) Republican lawmakers Don Wagner, of Irvine, and Shannon Grove, of Bakersfield, say goodbye after the Assembly adjourned at the end of their two-year legislative session in the early morning hours of Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in Sacramento, Calif. Both lawmakers are leaving the Assembly due to term limits. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

By Associated Press 5 min read

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – California delivered on its reputation as a testing ground for liberal ideas as state lawmakers wrapped up a legislative session that extended the nation’s most ambitious climate change programs, raised the minimum wage to $15 and toughened gun laws.

While they failed to address some of the maddening challenges afflicting Californians’ daily lives – most notably, skyrocketing housing costs and crumbling roads – lawmakers advanced top priorities for the labor, environmental, gun-control and anti-tobacco movements.

Democrats, who have strong majorities in both the Assembly and the Senate, celebrated their victories and said the nation’s largest state should be the model that others emulate.

“I am very proud to say that the California dream is the new American dream,” Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, said before formally adjourning the session early Thursday.

The advances for Democrats’ liberal base left conservatives dejected and concerned that the crushing weight of new business mandates will take a toll on important sectors ranging from agriculture to retail and restaurants – hurting California’s massive economy.