Phil Matier: California Teachers Association Reluctantly Backs Gov. Brown's Tax Plan
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)—The California Teachers Association is supporting Governor Jerry Brown's tax plan that would raise sales tax by a half cent and increase income taxes on high-income earners.
According to KCBS, CBS 5 and Chronicle Insider Phil Matier, Brown wants the CTA, which represents more than 300,000 teachers and education workers statewide to support him rather than alternative tax measures on the ballot.
One caveat, Matier said, is that the union doesn't plan on raising any extra money from their members in order to pass the tax.
Matier said this was a far cry from 2005, when they levied a $60-a-year membership dues fee for teachers for three years. He said they amassed $50 million using that strategy to combat Arnold Schwarzenegger's "anti-union initiatives."
KCBS, CBS 5 and Chronicle Insider Phil Matier Reports:
"So they're backing it, but I've gotta say they're not backing it all the way to the bank," Matier added.
Matier analyzed that Brown would have to get his message out that these tax cuts are necessary or else he'll have to make education cuts.
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