LAWMAKING PAIR ASSEMBLY, SENATE START NEW SESSION.

Byline: Harrison Sheppard and David M. Drucker Sacramento Bureau

SACRAMENTO - The Legislature launched its new session Monday, as the Democratic leaders of both houses pledged to forge a united front against Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in the fight over issues such as health care, education and taxes.

Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, and new Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, said they may consider new taxes to help solve the state's chronic budget problems.

``Sen. Perata and I have said everything needs to be on the table,'' Nunez said. ``That includes new revenues. I think it would be irresponsible for folks on the Republican side of the aisle to continue to draw the line in the sand and to say, Over our dead bodies do we look at new revenues.''

He said it may be possible to balance the budget without new taxes, but Democrats will not want to support cuts that hurt the poor and disabled.

In the past year, Schwarzenegger and most Republican legislators have consistently opposed new taxes, which require a two-thirds vote.

Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks, introduced a measure that would limit state spending to increases in population and inflation, preventing the need for more tax increases.

He noted the state is bringing in more than $2 billion in revenue over what was expected in the current year because of economic growth.

``Revenue's never been a problem,'' McClintock said. ``The problem is spending has grown even faster.''

The Assembly met for about an hour Monday, and the Senate for about 90 minutes, to kick off the new two-year session.

The session included the oath of office for 34 new members - including Sen. George Runner and Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, the first husband-wife team to serve simultaneously - the election of Nunez and Perata and the introduction of new bills.

Democrats retain the same edge they had over Republicans in the previous session, 25-15 in the Senate and 48-32 in the Assembly.

They won't meet again until January.

Nunez and Perata said they plan to use ``unprecedented cooperation'' between the two houses to fight for issues important to the Democratic Party. But they denied the show of unity was an effort to ``gang up'' on the governor, saying instead it was simply about consolidating their efforts for the sake of working with him more effectively.

A spokeswoman for the governor, however, said the comments did sound like an attempt to gang up on the governor, rather than showing bipartisan cooperation.

``We're hopeful that they will heed the message of the recall,'' said spokeswoman Ashley Snee. ``And we welcome an opportunity to work with both sides in making progress for the people of California.''

Among the more controversial bills introduced Monday was one from Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, to legalize gay marriage in California, defining marriage as ``between two persons.'' Nunez and Perata both voiced support for the bill, even as Republicans and conservative groups prepared to fight it.

The conservative Campaign for Children and Families criticized Leno's bill for going against the spirit of a measure voters passed in 2000 that defined marriage as between a man and woman.

``The Democrat politicians are wrong for pushing their sex-crazed agenda,'' campaign President Randy Thomasson said in a written statement. ``They're showing how anti-voter they are. Thankfully average people know how out-of-step San Francisco is with the rest of California.''

Both Perata and Nunez said they support gay marriage, although they have not reviewed Leno's bill yet.

``I think Mark has made a very reasoned approach,'' Perata said. ``It is a civil-rights issue.''

Nunez also challenged Schwarzenegger to work with the Legislature to address the high cost of prescription drugs and the six to seven million Californians who do not have health insurance.

``I offer the governor a challenge, a challenge met out of a moral obligation we have as leaders, to join us in finding a solution to California's health care crisis,'' Nunez said in his speech accepting his re-election as the state's 66th Assembly speaker.

In September, Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill by Assembly Majority Leader Dario Frommer, D-Glendale, to facilitate the purchase of drugs from Canada, saying it was illegal under federal law.

The governor also campaigned against Democrat-supported Proposition 72, which would have required businesses with 50 or more employees to provide health care to workers and their families. Democrats plan to re-introduce a similar bill this session.

Snee, the spokeswoman for Schwarzenegger, said the governor supports making health care more affordable to Californians, but wants to find savings that don't violate federal law.

Assemblyman Keith Richman, R-Granada Hills, plans to introduce a joint package of health care legislation with Assemblyman Joe Nation, D-San Rafael, to provide ``universal responsibility for universal coverage.''

Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Los Angeles, is also planning to introduce a universal health care measure this session.

Harrison Sheppard, [phone]

harrison.sheppard(at)dailynews.com

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(color) State Supreme Court Justice Janice Rogers Brown swears in state Sen. George Runner and his wife, Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, Monday at the Capitol, the first husband-wife team to serve concurrently. See Page 17.

Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press