Jerry Brown makes retail pitch for Proposition 30

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Gov. Jerry Brown joined Proposition 30 supporters at a San Fernando Valley shopping mall on Monday, part of a five-city barnstorming tour where the governor tried to drum up last-minute support for his tax initiative. The governor’s brief remarks came amid a flurry of activity regarding the proposition that began Sunday when the California Supreme Court ordered an Arizona nonprofit to disclose who contributed to an $11-million donation to a California committee fighting Proposition 30.

In a surprise move, the group -- called Americans for Responsible Leadership -- said it would hand over the records. But the information did little to shed light on the funds, as the contributors were identified only as other nonprofits.

‘We’ve been up against a lot of money power,’ the governor told a crowd of about 150 people gathered at the rally. ‘Money power not only from California, but from secret organizations throughout California, throughout America, who want to come and influence votes.’

The proposition is intended to stave off future education cuts by bringing in an estimated $8 billion over the next year. The money would come from temporary tax increases on people making more than $250,000 and a quarter-cent increase in the state sales tax.

Proposition 30 isn’t about candidates or politicians, the governor said. ‘It’s about the kids,’ Brown said. ‘It’s about our schools. It’s about the California dream, which is built on schools.’

‘Our dream is not looking backward,’ he continued.’ ‘Why is California the place with Google and Apple and Hewlett-Packard and bioscience companies? Why is California the place where, when they want to put a vehicle on Mars, they build it in Pasadena, with bright people educated in our schools? That’s what it’s all about.’

Brown began his day in San Diego, and was scheduled to visit Fresno, Sacramento and San Francisco after leaving Los Angeles.

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-- Kate Mather