Already four members had spoken against the measure and several who had been present during committee hearings refused to vote in favor of it. As the roll began to develop, however, it was clear some last minute lobbying efforts had paid off. First, Sen. Ralph C. Dills, who had refused to vote for the bill in either fiscal or policy committees, offered his AYE vote. Next, Sen. Johnston, who removed his vote from Senate Appropriations, also cast an AYE vote. When the first pass was complete, AB 2472 had garnered only 24 of the 27 votes needed for passage.
Senators then have the option of either adding on or removing themselves from the roll.
The Assembly had to concur with the Senate passage in order for the bill to be sent to the governor for signature. As Friday night turned into Saturday morning, it became clear that the agenda of the house was to take a recess for the remainder of the weekend and come back on Monday, August 31 to finish the 1997-98 session. That request was granted by the leadership and shortly after midnight, Saturday morning, AB 2472 was up for vote. Following a short debate, the Assembly voted 67 to 3 to pass the measure to the governor. Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks, maintained his consistent opposition to labor and its contracts by also voting against AB 2472.