Williams, Jackson Sworn Into Office

Assemblymember Das Williams was sworn into office this week for a second term and wasted little time introducing a new bill to provide colleges and universities assistance in meeting energy-efficient standards. Although Hannah-Beth Jackson is new to the State Senate, she served a full complement of terms in the Assembly during the 1990s. Jackson and Williams help give Democrats a two-thirds majority, meaning Republicans can no longer block spending bills or decide what ballot measures go before state voters. It’s the first time since the 1880s that Democrats have enjoyed such an edge in the statehouse, but party leaders have cautioned their members not to push any tax increases.