The Capitol’s longest-running conflict pits business against four liberal groups – labor unions, consumer advocates, personal injury attorneys and environmentalists. The latter have agendas and look to a Legislature dominated by liberal Democrats to enact them. Their bills would generally increase employee compensation, make it easier to sue and collect damages, and add new regulations. It became evident in the late 1990s that Democrats would become dominant in California – and therefore in the Capitol – after decades of seesaw power struggles. And businesses, knowing they could no longer depend on Republican legislators and governors to protect them from their four rivals, pivoted on political strategy. (Sac Bee, June 9, 2015)