Poll shows strong support for Jerry Brown's tax plan
Gov. Jerry Brown's plan for a ballot initiative that would raise tens of billions of dollars by temporarily increasing the sales tax and the income tax on wealthy Californians has the support of more than two-thirds of likely voters in the state, according to a poll by the Public Policy Institute of California.
The poll found 68 percent of likely voters - including majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents - support the proposed initiative, which the administration estimates would generate about $35 billion over five years. The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office has projected the measure would raise about $7 billion less.
Support indicated by the poll does not mean Brown will have an easy time getting the initiative passed, however, said Mark Baldassare, president and CEO of the institute.
"It will continue to be a question of: Can the governor continue to develop broad-based support or will broad-based opposition develop that will question elements of his plan that may not be viewed very positively by voters?" Baldassare said. "It's very easy for people to change their minds about initiatives if they find something they don't like."
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