We've seen that the Republicans are scared of letting the voters vote on taxes. The Norquistians are saying that even putting taxes on the ballot is a violation of the no-tax pledge. Something has got them nervous, perhaps that's because of numbers like these:
The poll, just released, shows strong support for Brown's special statewide election on budget fixes, as well as reasonably strong support for his suggestion to erase California's deficit with a mix of cuts and taxes.
The Public Policy Institute of California finds 66% of voters surveyed like the idea of a special election to consider budget issues. That includes not just an overwhelming majority of Democrats (74%) but a majority (55%) of Republicans, too.
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While the poll offers several more interesting nuggets (like an affirmation of the fiscal disconnect affecting the state's voters which we've discussed before), here's one more that helps explain why Governor Brown's budget not only protects K-12 schools (for the most part), but puts them front and center should the voters reject the $11 billion in tax extensions he wants on a June statewide ballot: 75% say they oppose any more K-12 cuts, and 71% say they'd pay higher taxes to spare those schools.(Capital Notes)
In fact, a strong plurality rejects a cuts only budget. Only 36% favor cuts alone, while 49% prefer at least some taxes, and another 7% favors additional debt. As to which taxes, well, the corporate tax is still tax number one. Too bad the voters just chose to preserve a $1.5 billion corporate tax cut. I guess it goes to show you what a bit of campaign propaganda can do. You can grab all of the numbers at the PPIC survey here.
The voters clearly still need additional information on how our system works. They don't quite understand how we fund our budget, and where it all goes. But, at the same time, I think voters understand more than they are given credit for in the media and amongst some political circles.
Governor Brown's budget is far from perfect, but it's enough that it is scaring the Right. And that's a start. |
