Gov. Brown Seeks Business Support For Tax Hike Proposal
SACRAMENTO (CBS/AP) -- Gov. Jerry Brown is pitching his proposal to raise the state sales and income taxes to an audience that traditionally opposes tax increases—members of the California Chamber of Commerce.
The Democratic governor wants voters to approve the temporary increases in November as part of what he described as a series of steps to help California recover from the recession without deeper cuts to education and social services.
Brown, who was elected governor the first time in 1974, told the chamber's annual gathering in Sacramento on Tuesday that he is looking forward to his "third act" when economic conditions have improved.
His speech, before about 1,000 business leaders, drew a mixed reaction. The level of government spending and the cost of public employee pension benefits remain concerns.
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