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California Voters Could Face Two Tax Measures On November Ballot

SACRAMENTO (KCBS) – Despite the urging of Governor Jerry Brown for civil rights attorney Molly Munger to drop her campaign, California voters are likely to face two tax initiatives on the November ballot.

Brown was hoping for only one tax measure – his – to be on the ballot so voters would only have to confront one tax question. His initiative would raise the state's sales tax by a quarter for five years and raise taxes on incomes over $250,000 for seven years to fund public safety and the general fund.

KCBS' Margie Shafer Reports:

"We need it for the schools. We need it to stop these crazy gimmicks and budget deficits that have been going on ten years," said Brown. "We have to leak it with severe cuts in state spending."

The measure has the backing of the California Federation of Teachers.

Also expected on the ballot is the "Our Children, Our Future" measure, which is backed by civil rights attorney Molly Munger. Campaign strategist Nathan Ballard said that Munger's proposal would raise taxes on a sliding scale on nearly all incomes.

"It really is focused on the schools. It will last for 12 years," said Ballard. "And it's a long-term solution to improving California schools."

Munger's measure has the backing of the California Parent Teacher Association.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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