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California Budget Battle 2012 - Full Coverage

Latest Post: 05/03/2012 01:58 PM First Post: 03/14/2012 12:46 PM (6 stories)

GOP launches campaign against governor's tax hikes

05/03/2012 01:58 PM by The Associated Press (KO)

Latest Update GOP launches campaign against governor's tax hikes

05/03/2012 01:58 PM by The Associated Press (KO)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The California Republican Party is kicking off a campaign against Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed tax-hikes before the initiative has even qualified for the November ballot.

GOP Chairman Tom Del Beccaro said Thursday he will start the campaign this week in Fresno and Bakersfield, where he will discuss alternatives to tax hikes.

The Democratic governor is asking California voters to pass temporary tax increases to avoid billions of dollars in additional cuts.

Republican lawmakers say that will only hurt California's economic recovery. They say the Democratic-controlled Legislature should pass public pension reform and cut elsewhere to protect education and public safety.

Brown's initiative, which has not yet qualified for the ballot, would raise income taxes on people who make more than $250,000 annually and raise the sales tax to 7.5 percent.

Calif. religious leaders endorse Brown's tax plan

04/26/2012 03:31 PM by The Associated Press (MH)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Gov. Jerry Brown is getting support from about 200 religious leaders who have endorsed his proposed November tax initiative.

Their group, PICO California, was lobbying lawmakers on Thursday for policies that reflect their values of social justice and taking care of the needy.

The religious leaders come from numerous denominations. They say they will work to register voters in their congregations and urge them to support Brown's initiative, which would raise income taxes on high earners and raise the sales tax by a quarter cent.

The religious leaders say those who are blessed with riches should share them with the less fortunate.

Brown told them his tax initiative is fair because it asks everyone to contribute, but asks the most from those who make more than $1 million a year.

Brown seeks to eliminate 718 unnecessary reports

04/17/2012 12:27 PM by The Associated Press (KO)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Gov. Jerry Brown says his administration has found more than 700 unnecessary state reports as a result of a cost-cutting review he ordered last year.

The governor on Tuesday released a list of 718 reports his office believes are insignificant and outdated, about half of which must be submitted to the Legislature.

Some of the reports that agencies have to produce or transmit include an annual report on the kangaroo harvest in Australia and a monthly report on response to the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.

The Democratic governor says government should focus on "providing information that is actually helpful to taxpayers."

The administration is ending production on about half of those reports. Brown's finance director, Ana Matosantos, is asking the Legislature to end reporting requirements on the remaining half.

Brown urges lawmakers to 'man up' on budget cuts

04/13/2012 02:17 PM by Associated Press (CM)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Gov. Jerry Brown is warning that the state's budget shortfall may be larger than predicted and called on state lawmakers to "man up" and pass his proposed spending cuts.

During an interview Friday with San Francisco radio station KGO, the Democratic governor said the state budget deficit will likely exceed the $9.2 billion shortfall his administration predicted earlier this year.

He urged lawmakers to approve the billions of dollars in cuts he proposed in January, including additional rollbacks to social service programs. Brown said that because the economy is unpredictable, "the Legislature has to man up and make the cuts."

The comment recalled one by former Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, when he mocked lawmakers as "girlie men" during a 2004 budget standoff.

Brown defends tax plan, says money goes to schools

03/28/2012 04:01 PM by Associated Press (SR)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Gov. Jerry Brown is defending his characterization of his tax initiative as primarily benefiting schools despite criticism from the backer of a rival tax proposal that he is distorting its benefits.

Los Angeles attorney Molly Munger told The Associated Press last week that Brown is being untruthful in saying most of the money from his initiative will go to schools. She says she started running TV commercials about her initiative to "get the truth out."

Brown said Wednesday that he is telling the truth.

"The tax goes to schools," he told reporters after speaking to a gathering of law enforcement leaders.

His proposed initiative would help bridge the state's budget deficit, provide money for local law enforcement and prevent deeper cuts to education and other services.

Brown confirms tax deal with group

03/14/2012 12:46 PM by KO, The Associated Press

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) - Gov. Jerry Brown says he has reached a deal with a rival group to combine forces on a November ballot initiative seeking to raise taxes.

Brown told The Associated Press on Wednesday he is happy with an agreement reached with advocates of the so-called millionaire's tax, including the California Federation of Teachers and Courage Campaign.

Brown says joining forces creates a higher probability of victory, "and that's good for school kids, it's good for public safety." The governor made the comments Wednesday after a press conference at The Boeing Co. facility in Long Beach.

Brown had proposed his own tax initiative that would temporarily raise sales taxes and income taxes on high earners.

The Democratic governor declined to discuss details of the deal, saying he expects an announcement later Wednesday.

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