Proposition 30 Campaign Launches Television Ads Promoting Measure
On Wednesday, the campaign for Proposition 30 launched five television advertisements promoting the ballot measure, the AP/San Francisco Chronicle reports (Williams, AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 10/4).
Background
Prop. 30 -- developed by Gov. Jerry Brown (D) and supporters of the "Millionaires Tax" would:
- Increase the personal income tax by one percentage point for individuals who earn $250,000 annually or couples who earn $500,000 annually and by two percentage points for individuals who earn $300,000 annually or couples who earn $600,000 annually;
- Extend the income tax increases on wealthy residents from five to seven years; and
- Increase the sales tax by a quarter of a cent.
The sales tax hike would expire in four years.
A rival tax hike plan by attorney Molly Munger -- listed as Proposition 38 on the November ballot -- would raise income tax for all residents, with the highest earners seeing the largest hike. Most of the revenue would support education programs (California Healthline, 9/20).
Reaction to Ads
The Prop. 30 ads says that the measure would raise billions of dollars that could not be "touched by Sacramento politicians."
Nathan Ballard -- a spokesperson for the Prop. 38 campaign -- said, "It boggles the mind that they would try to make this claim," adding, "Their tax revenue does what it does, which is go into the general fund."
Jon Coupal -- president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association -- said, "I think the ads reflect a little bit of desperation on the issue of whether in fact any new money will be going to education," adding that no new money raised by Prop. 30 would go toward education (AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 10/4).
Munger's Brother Donates To Independent Committee
Meanwhile, Charles Munger -- a Republican activist and brother of Molly Munger -- has given more than $10 million to an independent committee that opposes Prop. 30, according to a state filing.
The committee also supports a campaign finance measure, listed as Proposition 32 on the November ballot.
According to the filing, Charles Munger gave $5.9 million to the Small Business Action Committee near the end of September and $4.1 million a week earlier.
The committee has given a total of $700,000 to a campaign opposing Prop. 30 (Ortiz, "Capitol Alert," Sacramento Bee, 10/3). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.