Wednesday, April 06, 2011 12:45 PM

California Governor to Start Dog and Pony Fear-Mongering Campaign to Raise Taxes

California Governor Jerry Brown is annoyed at Republicans who have blocked his plan for massive tax hikes to balance the budget. In response, the governor plans to take his case straight to the voters.

Please consider Brown Plans California Drive to Keep Taxes as New Cuts Loom http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-0 ... -loom.html

California Governor Jerry Brown said he’ll propose a new budget next month and plans to campaign in Republican districts to win support for a statewide referendum to retain $9.3 billion of higher taxes and fees.

The plan will show how he intends to erase the most- populous U.S. state’s remaining $15.4 billion deficit, said Brown, 72.

Brown will begin a series of events around the state to persuade voters that Republican lawmakers are wrong to block his plan to extend expiring tax and fee increases for five more years to prevent deeper spending cuts to schools and public safety. The temporary increases are set to end in June.

Last month, Brown said he had broken off negotiations for a statewide vote after being presented with a widening list of Republican demands.

“Rather than continuing to negotiate with Senate Republican Leader Bob Dutton on a bi-partisan budget with long- term solutions, Governor Brown is going on a dog-and-pony show to sell voters on short-term gimmicks and $50 billion in tax increases,â€