Real World: California

SACRAMENTO - College students are not the only ones who procrastinate.

If you’ve been following the California budget crisis, you’ll know that the state legislature recently resolved the $26.3 billion gap in the state’s budget. When it finally came time to solve the problem—meaning to vote—the legislature did what most college students do: They stayed up all night.

The legislature convened on last Thursday afternoon to vote on 31 measures that would balance the state budget. Neither the Assembly nor the Senate adjourned until Friday. I was in the Senate most of the night. The Senate did not adjourn until 6:30 a.m. on Friday morning. Having been awake since early the previous morning, I opted to wimp out and leave at 4 a.m.

Everybody knew voting would go well into the night, and the whole capitol was reminiscent of school during finals week. People were drinking coffee and other caffeinated drinks all night trying to stay awake. Legislators and their staffs were cramming the reading on bills they were about to vote on.

And of course the lobbyists stayed all night too, nervously spread out in the hallways of the capitol.

Just like college students, some of the people in the building couldn’t wait to leave so they could go party. One of the first things I heard when I walked into the Senate chamber was one legislative staffer talking to another.

If we can get out of here in time, we’re gonna go crack open the bar.

It was one of several ‘I can’t wait to finish this so I can go drink,’ comments I heard that night.

There were also bro-ish celebrations. After half of the bills had been passed, two senators celebrated with a high-five.

We’re halfway done! one said.

These observations probably aren’t a fair portrayal of the state legislature, but what’s fair?

So while some people like to tell college students that the ‘real world’ won’t allow all-nighters and other college shenanigans, the California legislature probably will.