Among the more interesting findings of the Field Poll on Gov. Jerry Brown's ballot initiative to raise income taxes on high-income earners is that support for the measure is highest among those who are relatively well off.
While support for Proposition 30 is just 51 percent, backing climbs to 59 percent among voters whose annual household incomes exceed $100,000.
The measure is supported by 48 percent of likely voters whose annual household incomes fall between $40,000 and $99,000, according to the poll, and by 51 percent of likely voters below $40,000.
Proposition 30 would raise sales taxes and hike income taxes on those earning more than $250,000 a year.
But poll director Mark DiCamillo said support among high earners is a reflection less of their income than of their typically higher educational attainment. Among likely voters, 54 percent of college graduates and 61 percent of people who have done postgraduate work support Brown's initiative.
It's unclear how many of the relatively wealthy voters Field interviewed earn enough to be affected by the proposed income tax increase. DiCamillo said he has a feeling they might oppose the measure, but he said, "I'm just not sure."
– David Siders
CAMPAIGN WATCH
The Bee is co-sponsoring a debate Tuesday in the 7th Congressional District race pitting Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Gold River, against his Democratic challenger, Ami Bera of Elk Grove. Send your questions for the candidates to smith@sacbee.com. We'll try to ask one during the debate, which will be webcast at 3 p.m. on sacbee.com.
– Dan Smith
<;MX| >WORTH REPEATING
"If you're a doctor or engineer, there are other places where you can make good money and live in better conditions."
ANTONIO AVALOS, associate professor of economics at Fresno State University, commenting to the Associated Press on the Central Valley's woeful poverty
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