http://www.mercurynews.com/california-budget/ci_21374874/california-voters-prefer-gov-jerry-browns-tax-measure

Prop. 30


      I read an article from the Mercury News called, California voters prefer Gov. Jerry Brown's Prop. 30 tax measure over Molly Munger's Prop. 38, but 'prospects are partly cloudy' by Steve Harmon. The main idea of this article was to inform the readers where both Prop. 30 and Prop. 38 stand concerning support and opposition. Proposition 30 increases income taxes on the wealthy and increases sales tax by a quarter-cent. Proposition 30 is an initiative by Governor Jerry Brown that if passed, will “raise $6 billion a year, the amount that would have to be cut from schools if it fails.” Schools are already tight on money and cutting another 6 billion would make California’s educational system even worse off. Prop. 38 is similar to Prop. 30 but broadens the income tax hike “on all but those making less than $7,316, with the wealthiest facing the stiffest hike.” If this Proposition is passed, Prop. “38 would raise $10 billion a year for 12 years.”
       Both these Propositions would seem perfect to improve the lack of funding our Californian schools have right now. However, not all residents of our state think so. On an online poll by PACE/USC Rossier School of Education, Proposition 30 “holds a 55 to 36 percent lead” where as Proposition 38 “has the support of only 40 percent of the likely voters, with 49 percent opposed.” Ben Tulchin, a Democratic pollster said that “tax measures need to start out a fall campaign with much healthier support--around 60 percent--to survive voters’ inherent skepticism toward tax hikes.” Governor Jerry Brown’s campaign “has about 8.4 million cash on hand, while opponents have about 1 million.” This means that when campaign gets on it’s way, there will be a greater voice for yes on Prop. 30 which will greatly increase it’s support. On an online poll, “the Field Poll showed Proposition 30 ahead 54 to 38 percent, with support for Proposition 38 split at 46-46.” Things are not looking all that great for proposition 38. As the polls show, only 11 percent strongly support it and 30 percent strongly oppose it. Prop. 30 does a little better in the polls where about 23 percent strongly oppose and strongly support the Proposition. However, Nathan Ballard, a spokesman for proposition 38 says its still to early to call because the campaign still hasn’t started. “‘Once we begin our aggressive campaign on the airwaves, Proposition 38 will climb rapidly in the polls as voters learn about its benefits for our public schools,’" he explained.
      In my opinion, I think when people realize that there is no other way to make enough money to support our schools, they will vote for one of these propositions. I can only assume that there are more people in California that make less than $250,000 a year than there are that do. If Gov. Brown can get his message out to as many voters as he can, I think he has a good chance in passing one of these Propositions.