Two California state initiatives on this year’s ballot aim to generate funds for public education by raising taxes. Proposition 30, backed by Governor Jerry Brown, would raise sales tax for four years and personal income tax for high-income taxpayers for seven years. A competing initiative, Proposition 38, would raise personal income tax for everyone except low-income taxpayers, for 12 years. The additional annual state revenue, mostly allocated to public education, for Prop 30 and 38 would be $6 billion and $10 billion, respectively.
The Epoch Times asked Bay Area locals whether raising taxes is the right approach to mitigate California’s budget shortfall.
Richard Zhu, 22, works for corporation, Presidio
“I recently graduated from the university, and so I personally felt the budget cuts, being from a California University. So I think raising taxes and promoting education for all, in the public and private universities, is necessary and should be proposed.”
Alessandra Tario, 20, student, San Francisco
“I think it’s fine, I guess, if they don’t raise it too much. I am not really too familiar on it. I am going through school currently. And I know they’re cutting on a lot of classes. As far as raising taxes, I guess richer people should pay more and less fortunate people should pay less. There is no really fair way to do that.”
Michael McCartney, 47, travel agent, Upper Pacific Heights
“Kids are our future—education is an imperative. So, I think, the only way they’re going to get money is through taxpayers. And you know, it’s—I don’t have a problem paying more taxes—only if it supports education.”
Colleen Milton, 28, sales, Lower Pacific Heights
“I think that’s a great reason to raise the taxes. I believe in public school. I am a public school advocate. I went through them from kindergarten all the way through university in this local area, and I think we can always use a extra little help in the education field.”
Ron Déziel, 68, retired, San Pablo
“I can say conceptually of course I approve of public education. And so if it’s public, who else is going to fund it except the public, through taxation. But these two ballot measures, I don’t approve of either one of them.”
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