Brown's tax initiative still receiving majority support

The good news for the governor is that 56 percent of likely voters say they would vote for the ballot measure to temporarily raise both the state sales tax and the personal income tax on the wealthy. The results of the latest Public Policy Institute of California poll are similar to the April survey in which 54 percent said they would vote yes. But here's the interesting - and for Brown, troubling - detail: The PPIC poll found that 65 percent of likely voters favor raising taxes on the wealthy, but 58 percent oppose raising the state sale tax.

Asked for their views specifically on the proposed spending cuts to social service programs, 36 percent of likely voters are in favor and 60 percent are opposed. Opposition to these cuts is 10 points higher than opposition to his plan in general (50%). Most Democrats (76%) and independents (58%) oppose the cuts, while Republicans are divided (48% favor, 49% oppose).

In other words, we still want it all, and we want rich people to pay for it all - what economists say is basically impossible to pull off. As for the 56 percent support, it's worth noting that ballot measure races typically tighten up in the weeks leading up to the vote, especially if there is a strong opposition campaign. The governor has been warning about all sorts of deep cuts in education should the tax measure fail. The PPIC survey also found that more voters disapprove than approve of the job Brown is doing. But the difference is only 1 percent. Here's the Sacramento Bee story.