Late last year, after a group of self-described moderate Democrats successfully watered down a landmark climate change bill pushed by Gov. Jerry Brown and fiercely opposed by the oil lobby, a flurry of headlines trumpeted the rise of the so-called Mod Squad in Sacramento. But 2016 has not been as kind to this informal caucus of business-aligned Democrats in California’s Legislature. “They’re a force to be reckoned with,” said Steve Maviglio, a Democratic strategist who works closely with environmental and labor groups that sometimes clashed with the moderate caucus. Business interests have picked their favorites in a handful of legislative races statewide, funneling money to independent expenditure committees that can spend unlimited amounts to support a candidate.

Source: Los Angeles Times November 05, 2016 07:08 UTC