Prop. 30 supporters rally for Board of Supervisors' endorsement

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Californians don't usually vote for tax increases. In the past decade, they've defeated ten tax hike measures and approved just one. Up against those odds, Proposition 30 supporters are looking for every vote they can get. And they can add the L.A. County Board of Supervisors to the list, as the group voted 3-2 Tuesday to formally support the measure. Before the vote Tuesday, supporters from groups including SEIU Local 72, Courage Campaign and League of Women Voters of California rallied outside of the meeting--urging support with signs, songs and bullhorns. The theme of the gathering: saving the California dream, a dream that Community Coaltion President Marquise Harris-Dawson says is currently on life support. "Without this injection of oxygen, without this injection of resoueces, we feel that the California dream as we know it will die," Harris Dawson said. Chants of "Tax the rich, Yes on 30!" rang out throughout Tuesday's event. "[Prop 30] actually gives the opportunity for those who can afford to pay a little bit more the opportunity to let everyone else start over again," said Richard Jacobs, Chair of Courage Campaign. Proposition 30 would raise California's sales tax by 3.5 percent and increase income taxes on Californians earning more than $250,000. Revenues would be used to balance the state budget and indirectly fund schools. Rival measure Proposition 38 would raise income taxes on most Californians. The tax revenue would be used exclusively to fund schools, pay down state debts and to pay for early care and education programs. Proposition 38 strategist Nathan Ballard says the measure's education earmarks make it a better option than it's ballot rival. "If you want to send money directly to your local public school, then Prop. 38 is for you," Ballard said. "If you want to send money to sacramento, then Prop. 30 is for you." A USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll from September 17-23 showed public support for Prop. 30 at 54 percent. The same poll found support from prop thirty-eight at thirty-four percent.