George Skelton: California Gov. Newsom and legislators got a surprise windfall. They should resist the urge to spend

Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders can be thankful for one surprise holiday gift: a huge windfall of tax dollars.

But this is a one-time present. Sacramento Democrats should resist the temptation to quickly spend the billions on goodies.

Instead, they'd be wise to sock it away in a sort of Christmas fund to be tapped in future years when state government is expected to be operating in the red.

The lawmakers' chief nonpartisan policy adviser, Legislative Analyst Gabriel Petek, recommends a prudent 50-50 approach: Use half for rebuilding cash reserves or