[68AttendGem]

LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...0,850743.story

California voters agree with Gov. Jerry Brown that tax increases should help close the state budget deficit, and they want to vote on his plan for raising the revenue, according to a new Times/USC Dornsife poll.

The Democratic governor has been traveling the state to tout his proposal for a balance of spending reductions and tax increases since it stalled in the Legislature last month amid a bitter battle with Republicans. He had wanted an election in June on a renewal of several tax increases that will have expired by July 1, but he now hopes for a vote in the fall.

Sixty percent of those surveyed, including majorities of both Democrats and Republicans, said they back such an election. The alternative being pushed by most GOP lawmakers — forgoing an election and balancing the budget by cutting more from state services — was supported by just 33%.

...

Among poll participants who would like the opportunity to vote on Brown's plan was Anton Fleig, 59, a software engineer in Santa Cruz and a registered Democrat.

"It is unconscionable to cut some of these programs when disparity of wealth is what it is," he said. "It is just morally wrong…. I would rather have less money in my pocket."

Crystal Brown, 61, a Republican and a teacher in Pasadena, said she worried that her district would face yet more budget cuts if taxes are not raised.

"I already have a hard time just getting pencils for my classroom," she said, predicting more furlough days and layoffs if the state does not start collecting more revenue.

[Meerenuch]

It's good to see most people have a moral compass that's still working. National polls are showing the same.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus has released its budget calling for letting all of Bush's tax cuts expire, not just on the wealthy, but for everyone. This plan is an alternative to Pres. Obama's budget and the Ryan Plan. I'm not sure why it's not getting much attention. The budget has some great ideas. I don't know that I agree with everything, but I like a lot of it.

Take a look. http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/index....ctiontree=5,70

[RichardFG435]

Putting this plan seriously on the table and making sure the Progressive Caucus has a seat at the negotiating table would go a long way toward bringing the conversation farther to the center.