California Gov. Jerry Brown has solid early support for his initiative scheduled for the November ballot to temporarily raise sales taxes and taxes on the wealthy.
A statewide survey released Monday by the Public Policy Institute of California found that 60% of likely voters favor the governor’s proposal, while 36% oppose it.
The plan would raise nearly $7 billion a year by increasing the sales tax a half-cent for four years and raising income taxes of individuals making more than $250,000 a year.
The survey also found that 93% of Californians think the state budget situation is a problem.
In addition, 62% said local government services have been hard hit by recent budget cuts.
The initiative would raise the state’s income tax rate on individuals to as much as 11.3% — making it the highest in the nation — and also increase the sales tax to 7.75%.
It would raise taxes for five years in three tiers from 1% to 2% for those making more than $250,000, with a top rate of 11.3% for those who earn more than $500,000.
California now has a maximum tax rate on individuals of 9.3%, plus a 1% surcharge on those making more than $1 million to help fund mental health services.
The initiative, if passed, would result in a top rate of 12.3% for those in the million dollar bracket, making it the highest top rate in the nation.
