Democratic lawmakers are pushing Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to raise taxes instead of slashing education funding to deal with the state's budget deficit. Now it appears the Governor is warming up to that idea. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
Democrats say the state could raise $2.5 billion if lawmakers close dozens of tax loopholes. They say that money could directly pay for education.
Schwarzenegger has been against tax hikes, but now he says its time to start looking into it.
UC San Diego political scientist Thad Kousser believes the Governor initially proposed massive education cuts to show Republicans tax increases are needed.
Kousser: I think he was in some ways looking to see how much opposition there was to those cuts and that puts him in a better place with his Republican colleagues in the Legislature whereas he can say 'Look teachers and Californians are just not going for this, we might have to increase taxes.'
Kousser says lawmakers must have a detailed plan in order to get taxpayer buy-in. Meanwhile, some Democrats are pushing for increases of sales taxes, tobacco taxes, and taxes on the wealthy.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
