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Governor Brown Makes Final Push for Prop 30 in Fresno

By Angela Greenwood, KSEE24 News
November 5, 2012 Updated Nov 5, 2012 at 7:34 PM PDT

Just hours before election day and the campaigns are heating up. Governor Jerry Brown made his second and final stop in Fresno Monday during a last minute push for Prop 30.

The Governor calls Prop 30 an investment in children and education. Opponents say the measure is a false choice, and one that will only cripple the state's economy.

One day before voters head to the polls, Governor Brown is making one final plea in the Central Valley.

"All you Fresnans, you can make a difference. I'm counting on Fresno," says Governor Jerry Brown (D).

The Governor's second stop in Fresno drew a big crowd of Prop 30 supporters.

Brown says, "Join together as Californians first and vote for the kids, vote for our colleges, vote for the California dream. Yes on 30!"

The measure is expected to raise billions of dollars for education. It would raise sales taxes by a 1/4 cent for the next four years. It would also impose higher income taxes on people making $250,000 or more a year.

If Prop 30 does not pass, schools would face billions of dollars in cuts. Fresno State President, John Welty, says it's a price college students cannot afford.

Welty says, "If Prop 30 fails, that will mean student fees go up 14% in January 2013."

But others argue even more is at stake if Prop 30 does pass.

"This is exactly the wrong time to be raising burdens on middle class families in California." "not to mention it would be hurting the businesses that employ people here in the valley."

David DeFrank with the No on 30 Campaign says there's no guarantee students would benefit from Prop 30. He calls the measure a ploy by politicians.

"There's no actual protection in the proposition that would require the money be spent that way. Californians are demanding real reform to our budget process, not these stop gap measures that the Governor's proposing," says DeFrank.

Recent polls show support for Prop 30 has fallen below 50%. 14% of voters say they're still undecided.

Monday's Prop 30 rally was part of Governor Brown's five city campaign across the state.

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