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Brown Seeks Silicon Valley Allies For Tax Extensions

SAN JOSE (KCBS) – Governor Jerry Brown is courting some unlikely allies as he continues his push for tax extensions.

Before a sell-out crowd of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Governor Brown said that his bid to temporarily extend billions in taxes was imperative to the state's economic survival.

The speech topped several days of closed door meetings with business leaders across the state, including Cisco Systems CEO John Chambers and Silicon Valley Leadership Group President and CEO Carl Guardino.

KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:

While not committing to supporting the temporary tax extensions, Guardino said the important thing is to work together to fix the state's budget mess.

"The opportunity is there for us to all move forward together," said Guardino. "If not on the same ballot measure, at least concurrently through the legislative process. "

KCBS and Chronicle Insider Phil Matier:

Before he gets a tax measure on the June ballot, the governor may have to make some concessions demanded by business leaders, including regulatory and pension reforms and limits on future state spending.

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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