Brown Continues Efforts To Drum Up Support for Proposed Tax Measure

Gov. Jerry Brown (D) is continuing to promote his tax proposal as an alternative to an all-cuts budget plan, the AP/Ventura County Star reports (Thompson, AP/Ventura County Star, 4/11).

On Monday, Brown spoke with the California Correctional Peace Officers Association and Crime Victims United of California about strategies to close the state's deficit. The governor asked the groups to lobby Republican lawmakers to support his tax proposal (San Gabriel Valley Tribune, 4/11).

Background

Last month, Brown signed legislation to reduce state spending by $11.2 billion. The measures included deep cuts to several health programs and funding shifts that diverted money away from mental health and childhood development programs.

Brown initially planned to close the remaining $15.4 billion deficit by putting a tax extension measure before voters in a June special election. However, GOP lawmakers refused to provide the necessary votes to put the tax measure on a June ballot.

The governor now is considering alternative strategies -- such as a legislative vote or a fall special election -- to pass his tax measure.

If his tax proposal fails, Brown has threatened to release an all-cuts budget plan (California Healthline, 4/11). Democrats have said that a budget comprised entirely of spending cuts would devastate health care programs for low-income residents.

Talks With Law Enforcement Officials, Advocates

On Monday, the governor said he thinks GOP legislators will respond if law enforcement officials express concern that the criminal justice system cannot function effectively without the funds generated by his proposed tax measure (AP/Ventura County Star, 4/11).

Brown's remarks come about one week after his office negotiated a new contract with prison guards. The deal will require guards to take one furlough day each month and contribute more to their retirement. However, the agreement calls for the state to pay more for the guards' health care, dental and vision coverage (Glantz, Bay Citizen, 4/11).

Broadcast Coverage

On Monday, Capitol Public Radio's "KXJZ News" reported on the governor's comments to law enforcement officials and advocates (Adler, "KXJZ News," Capitol Public Radio, 4/11).