The Central Valley Tea Party hosted a rally in Fresno urging citizens to vote no on Prop 30. It looks like it's going be a close race. A poll released today shows voter support for Prop 30 is now below 50% and opponents say they're not surprised.
Two days ago Governor Brown was in town pushing for Prop 30. Today it was the other side's turn. Opponents were out in full force.
John Kabateck, small business advocate says, "Vote no on Proposition 30. Stop the madness and make sure small businesses and Californians have opportunity again."
The "No on Prop 30" Coalition is protesting the tax initiative. Governor Brown says it would generate billions of dollars for education, but opponents aren't buying it.
"He does say yeah some of it will go to education, but he has admitted that a lot of it is to salvage the general fund." "The reality is there is no guarantee that the money will actually get into classrooms," says Jon Coupal, No on 30 Coalition.
Clovis voter George Franke says Prop 30 doesn't hold water and the last thing he wants to do is shell out any more money.
"You give the politicians extra money and they're just gonna blow it and spend it on other projects instead of the schools."
Fresno small business owner, Carole Jacoby says, "I'm sick and tired of the people of this state being asked to increase taxes all the time so that our government in Sacramento can continue with their reckless spending."
Jacoby says she supports education, but calls Prop 30 nothing more than a scare tactic.
"Everytime they want money they throw schools and kids into the fray. We have plenty of money."
Supporters of Prop 30 say schools will face millions of dollars in cuts if the measure is not passed. Opponents say if it is passed, they fear the economy will never recover.
"It's an increase in tax on gasoline, it's an increase on your income, it's a tax on things you buy," says Coupal.
Support for Prop 30 appears to be slipping. In a poll by the Public Policy Institute of California, likely voters in favor of the measure has dropped four points to 48%. 44% of registered voters say they oppose the measure.
Prop 30 would raise sales tax by a 1/4 cent for four years and increase income tax for those making $250,000 a year or more.
TXT 24
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