(CALMATTERS) – As Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature continue to negotiate a budget, some cities are floating new taxes to stave off cuts to public programs, while state tax hikes on the November ballot are taking on a new meaning in light of California’s projected $54 billion deficit.
A June statewide survey from the Public Policy Institute of California found that 60% of likely voters oppose tax increases.
But with the state potentially facing $14 billion in cuts to public education, health and safety net programs, proponents of November state ballot measures that would raise billions of dollars in revenue say such initiatives are more necessary than ever.
One of the highest-profile measures, the Schools & Communities First initiative, would raise $12 billion for local governments and public schools by nixing the protections of Prop. 13, the landmark 1978 measure that capped property taxes, for commercial property owners.
Though Newsom hasn’t ruled out the idea of tax increases, he also hasn’t endorsed the Schools & Communities First initiative.
