A University of Southern California/Los Angeles Times poll
shows 64 percent of voters support the governor's revised
initiative - with a quarter-cent sales tax increase on everyone and
larger income tax hikes on the rich.
Schnur: "At least at this stage, it appears that Governor Brown has pulled off a political coup."
Veteran Republican strategist Dan Schnur is now a USC professor who oversaw the poll. He says Brown's deal with the coalition of progressive groups backing the rival Millionaires Tax clears away competition without losing much voter support.
Schnur: "What remains to be seen - and we of course cannot poll on this - is whether the state's business community and other potential opponents weigh in against it - and particularly, with financial resources."
There are warning signs for the governor: Californians are split when asked whether they'd prefer to close the state's budget gap with a mix of cuts and taxes or only with cuts.
Schnur: "At least at this stage, it appears that Governor Brown has pulled off a political coup."
Veteran Republican strategist Dan Schnur is now a USC professor who oversaw the poll. He says Brown's deal with the coalition of progressive groups backing the rival Millionaires Tax clears away competition without losing much voter support.
Schnur: "What remains to be seen - and we of course cannot poll on this - is whether the state's business community and other potential opponents weigh in against it - and particularly, with financial resources."
There are warning signs for the governor: Californians are split when asked whether they'd prefer to close the state's budget gap with a mix of cuts and taxes or only with cuts.


