Proposition 1A will go up for a vote in the special, statewide ballot for California on May 19.
It will be done as part of the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
Supporters argue that this will stabilize California’s economy, and will result in fewer tax hikes in the future.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger explains in an April 27 LA Times article, “We should just simply describe 1A as a measure that will fix the broken budget system once and for all so that you never have to make those severe cuts again,” he adds. “And you never have to go back to the people for tax increases again. That’s it.”
Other supporters of Prop. 1A include:
- California Teachers Association,
- California Fire Chiefs Association,
- California Police Chiefs Association,
- California Chamber of Commerce,
- California State Council of Laborers,
- California Senior Advocates League,
- California Taxpayers Association and
- California State Conference of the NAACP.
The proposition calls for a temporary increase in taxes over the next four years, and the increase of California’s Rain Day Fund from 5 percent, to 12 1/2 percent of the state general fund.
Opponents of Prop. 1A argue that it will be the largest tax increase in history, according to Jon Fleishman, vice chairman of the California Republican Party.
Dr. Lilian Pace, president of the California Faculty Association, stated in a phone interview with the Talon Marks that it was hastily drafted behind closed doors with no in depth analysis. As it stands now, CSU student fees are slated to increase by 10 percent.
The Service Employees International Union is also against Prop. 1A. It has donated $500,000 of the $900,000 donated so far to the campaign against Prop. 1A.
