Phil Matier: Divide On Tax Extensions Grows As Budget Deadline Looms

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - Support within the Democratic party for Gov. Jerry Brown's tax extensions has begun to falter, especially in the state Assembly.

With one week remaining before the legal deadline for the California legislature to pass a spending plan, the new found willingness of some Republicans to put the tax extensions on the ballot has not solved the impasse.

Several Republicans had expressed willingness to supply the needed votes for a September special election in exchange for pension reform and a spending cap, said KCBS and Chronicle Insider Phil Matier.

KCBS And Chronicle Insider Phil Matier:

The governor wants voters to decide whether to extend a sales tax increase, a higher vehicle license and other taxes or risk massive cuts to education and social services.

Brown is pressing the legislature to approve the tax extensions on an interim basis until the election, a move seized upon by GOP lawmakers dead against any tax increase.

"That's where the Republicans are saying no dice," Matier said.

The possibility of an interim tax extension has also exposed fissures among Democrats worried that voters will ultimately reject the tax extensions.

Polls have indicated a majority of likely voters want to see the tax extensions on the ballot. Those same polls have shown voters unlikely to pass them.

"So it looks like we could be heading into a real storm," Matier said.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)