Yeah a voting base that expects the limitless growth of government and more checks. Its the unions that run the State Capitol. The Democrats themselves are just supporting players in the drama the former have scripted.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
An overlooked, little understood, little discussed but accurate observation.
During Edmond Brown's administration, cultural/racial minorities had little political power in California, not even in the CADEM. Unions prevailed only in the large, metropolitan areas, principally in Los Angeles and San Francisco Counties because of the traditional, heavy industries in those locations.
Today, racial/cultural minority blocs from Los Angeles County have risen to positions of leadership and power in the California Assembly and will soon do so in the Senate. Unions hold sway in both the Assembly and Senate, principally because they have been successful in unionizing government employment.
It would be nearly impossible in California today to pass "open shop"/"right-to-work" legislation or eliminate the "prevailing wage" provision of state contracts, even without federal participation.