Gov. Jerry Brown's tax proposal gains support among voters

Contra Costa Times ^ | 1/24/12 | Steven Harmon, Bay Area News Group

[SmithL]

Support for Gov. Jerry Brown's tax initiative is widening among voters, though not too many are happy with the prospects of paying more sales tax.

In a survey by the Public Policy Institute of California, 68 percent of likely voters -- up from 60 percent six weeks ago -- support his plan to increase the sales tax by a half percent and raise income taxes on individuals with an annual income of $250,000 or more.

"I think it's our duty to take care of the next generation," said San Ramon resident Elizabeth Moore, a retired high school teacher who was one of those surveyed. "I'm willing to pay more (in sales taxes), and I think the wealthy should pay their fair share. Where else are you going to get the money? If you need money, you go where the money is."

But while voters are enthusiastic about taxing the wealthy, nearly two-thirds oppose increasing the sales tax, a potential snag for Brown, who is seeking about $7 billion in new revenues from the temporary taxes.

"The challenge the governor faces with his tax initiative is that one generally popular tax increase--raising personal income taxes on the wealthy--is paired with one generally unpopular one: raising the state sales tax," said Mark Baldassare, president and CEO of the Public Policy Institute.

The institute surveyed 894 likely voters from Jan. 10 to Jan. 17. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.2 percent.

What may be driving the support for Brown's tax proposal is that voters especially dislike the "trigger" cut Brown has proposed in case the tax goes down. Nearly three-fourths of likely voters say they oppose the nearly $5 billion cuts to schools that would be triggered by defeat of the new taxes.

[SmithL]

Birds gotta fly,

fish gotta swim, and

Rats gotta tax!

[SmithL]

But while voters are enthusiastic about taxing the wealthy,

CLASS WARFARE: Most Californians, including many who call themselves Republicans, are fans of higher taxes, just as long as the taxes are on someone else!

[OldPossum]

So, they are gung-ho on taxing the wealthy more. It never seems to occur to them that the wealthy can—and will—go elsewhere.

[going hot]

It never seems to occur to them that the wealthy can—and will—go elsewhere.

No, just raise the price of goods and services....so who pays the increased tax?

[tallyhoe]

So like what Newt said...Cut off your arm or shoot yourself in the head uh?

[Ethrane]

Any government that robs Peter to pay Paul will always have the support of Paul.

[vette6387]

“So, they are gung-ho on taxing the wealthy more. It never seems to occur to them that the wealthy can—and will—go elsewhere.”

And the smart folks will buy more of their “taxible items” on-line and avoid the sales tax altogether. Since California does not tax food, their sales tax revenue will go down not up if this passes.

[scooby321]

Texas and Arizona will benefit

[Navy Patriot]

Government union Marxist Bizarro World poll. Nothing new.

[Lancey Howard]

California, LOL.

This reminds me of true democracy - - two wolves and a sheep on a desert island voting on what’s for dinner.

If you worked your rear-end off and took risks to become succesful and you now find yourself in California, get out now. Run, don’t walk. You definitely don’t want to be “the last white farmer in Zimbabwe”.

[repubpub]

Most Californians I know who vote “R” are opposed to higher taxes of any kind, period. So, I’m wondering who your sources are? Or did you sample a small voting base like the article did, just wondering.
They polled 894 people in or around San Ramon a town loaded with OWS sympathizers. Why not ask the voters in or around Fresno or Redding? Were they afraid the poll would show the opposite results.

[max americana]

“Mark Baldassare, president and CEO of the Public Policy Institute.”

PPP is the appointed-Democrat pollster. 894 people polled. Wow. Head down to Skid Row and you have 900 on one street alone.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Exactly right. We buy the Amazon “Prime” service every year and get no extra shipping charges on everything we ship to California. In addition, we get great video streaming services — all for about $6/month. I bought our new 55 inch plasma tv last July from an outfit in NYC — no shipping, no taxes, and saved hundreds of dollars compared to local stores to boot.

[OneVike]

It will take a super majority of voters to OK an increase. That is not going to happen.

Brown can kiss any new taxes goodbye.

[BreitbartSentMe]

In a survey by the Public Policy Institute of California, 68 percent of likely voters -- up from 60 percent six weeks ago -- support his plan to increase the sales tax by a half percent and raise income taxes on individuals with an annual income of $250,000 or more.
---snip---
But while voters are enthusiastic about taxing the wealthy, nearly two-thirds oppose increasing the sales tax, a potential snag for Brown, who is seeking about $7 billion in new revenues from the temporary taxes.

Who wrote this crap? I'm no mathematician, but this does NOT compute!!

[RetiredTexasVet]

Moonbeam is just a white version of the Food Stamp President. But then, Californicate voted for both overwhelmingly, so they are getting it in the end by both of them.

[jetson]

Stop supporting the illegals and problem solved.

[Hostage]

“I think it’s our duty to take care of the next generation,” said San Ramon resident Elizabeth Moore, a retired high school teacher who was one of those surveyed. “I’m willing to pay more (in sales taxes), and I think the wealthy should pay their fair share. Where else are you going to get the money? If you need money, you go where the money is.”
—Elizabeth Moore (Retired Government Gravy Train Passenger aka Useful Idiot)

When asked why he robbed banks,he replied “because that’s where the money is!”
—Willie Sutton (Illegal Withdrawal Specialist aka Bank Robber)

PS-Willie Sutton aka ‘Slick Willie’ denies ever saying the above, instead he answered:

“Why did I rob banks? Because I enjoyed it. I loved it. I was more alive when I was inside a bank, robbing it, than at any other time in my life. I enjoyed everything about it so much that one or two weeks later I’d be out looking for the next job. But to me the money was the chips, that’s all.”

Willie Sutton .... Elizabeth Moore....related perhaps?

[Paleo Conservative]

This will redistribute income from California to Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, Idaho, Texas, Colorado,....

[Mad_as_heck]

The idea that “the rich” and “giant corporations” will just pull up and leave California if they pass confiscatory taxes always seems to catch the leftists by surprise.

Notice Obama’s blabbering about taxing corporations that move jobs overseas because of his taxes and regulations. Everyone from Sacramento to DC will be shocked when Apple and all the other successful businesses are reincorporated as Swiss or Panamanian corporations. They never learn.

You can’t get blood out of a stone when the stone has legs and can walk away.