Proposition 55 Would Extend "Temporary" Tax For 12 Years

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Four years ago, Gov. Jerry Brown and other Democrats pitched a temporary income tax on the wealthiest Californians and a statewide sales tax increase as a salve for the state that was mired in debt and on the verge of insolvency.

It was supposed to be a temporary fix for an extreme budget crisis.

Now, with the sales tax set to expire, unions are asking voters to extend the income tax on the wealthy for 12 more years and again warning of dire cuts to schools if Proposition 55 doesn't pass next month.

Proponents argue that schools are still recovering from the recession and need more money.

Critics say the taxes were temporary and note that only half the revenues actually go to education programs.