The General Election on November 4, 2014 yielded some mixed results. While Democrats captured all eight statewide constitutional offices, Republicans were successful in picking up enough seats to end the Democrat supermajorities in both houses that were established in 2012.  The governor was elected to a historic fourth term and was successful in gaining voter approval for the $7.5 billion water bond. 

In the Senate, Republicans kept the Democrats below the two-thirds majority by successfully defending their vulnerable incumbents – Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres), and Andy Vidak (R-Hanford).  They also picked up an open seat in Orange County with Republican Janet Nygren defeating former Democrat  Assemblyman Jose Solorio.  

The real significance of the supermajorities is that while the budget can be approved with a simple majority, it takes a two-thirds vote to raise taxes.  That means that any kind of tax proposal will not be passed by the Legislature without Republican support.  Thus, any Republican opposed tax increase proposal will need to be put on the ballot by voters’ signatures, which will be a costly and time consuming endeavor.

The voters approved the governor supported water bond.  Of the $7.5 billion allocated by the bond, more than a third -- $2.7 billion – is designated for much needed storage projects.  

Other outlays in the bond include $800 million for regional water infrastructure projects:  $500 million for drinking water and wastewater treatment in small communities; $800 million to clean up contaminated groundwater; $725 million for recycling and reusing existing water or desalination; $395 million for flood protection; $100 million for groundwater management plans; and $1.5 billion for environmental projects throughout the state.