Gov. Jerry Brown lines up unusual allies on his tax hike initiative (LA Times)

[pinto]

Gov. Jerry Brown lines up unusual allies on his tax hike initiative

By Anthony York, Los Angeles Times
August 27, 2012

SACRAMENTO — Some of the largest corporate interests in California have poured millions of dollars into an initiative campaign this year, as they have many times before. But this time, they're not asking voters to ease industry regulations or limit government power. Instead, they want approval of an $8-billion-a-year tax hike pushed by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Since taking office more than 18 months ago, the Democratic governor has held dozens of meetings with such unnatural allies as oil companies, insurers and telecommunications interests that typically stand with Republicans, taking stock of their concerns and pitching them on the need for higher taxes. Some paid for polling that helped guide the governor as he put his initiative together.

To rally them to his cause, he cast aside several ideas — new levies on oil extraction, soft drinks or alcohol, for example — that have proved more popular with voters than his blend of temporary sales and income taxes.

He opted for a quarter-cent hike in sales taxes and an increase of 1 to 3 percentage points on individual incomes of more than $250,000 after assurances from business leaders that even if they did not wholeheartedly embrace Proposition 30, they would not reach into their deep pockets to wage war against it. So far, it seems to be working.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-proposition30-20120827,0,684082.story

[Starry Messenger]

1. I wish we could get some celebrity endorsements too.

The Yes on 30 videos have been viewed very little. We need a full-court press brass band campaign. (You can tell I'm going to be a gibbering mess until this election is over...)

[KamaAina]

2. To rally them to his cause, he cast aside several ideas

new levies on oil extraction, soft drinks or alcohol, for example

These special interests are concerned that if Prop 30 doesn't pass, they'll be next.