Judge Clears Gov. Jerry Brown's Tax For Top Billing

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A judge is allowing Gov. Jerry Brown's tax initiative to get top billing on the November ballot.

Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Michael Kenny on Monday denied a request from a competing tax campaign to stop the secretary of state from placing the Democratic governor's tax measure first.

Attorneys for the Our Children, Our Future campaign argued that their initiative should have qualified first because it turned in signatures earlier than Brown's campaign.

But Kenny ruled that elections officials in Los Angeles County did not act improperly in certifying both measures at the same time.

Democratic lawmakers gave Brown an edge by passing a bill that moved bond measures and constitutional amendments such as Brown's to the top of the ballot.

Our Children, Our Future could appeal Monday's ruling.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.