It's part of his push for proposition 30.
He traveled across the state Tuesday to convince voters to approve a seven year $50 billion dollar tax hike.
“It’s your hands, the people...make a choice,” he said at a press conference in
He also responded to critics, who point out that not all of the money will go toward schools.
“Don’t believe them. I'm telling you the truth. This is an opportunity to help all the kids of
If approved by voters, Prop. 30 would increase the state sales tax by a quarter of a cent for four years.
And increase the income tax rate for the wealthy for seven years.
Polls show voters aren't sold..or convinced that all of the money will go to directly to schools.
“The prop is clearly stated, people can read it...this money has to go to the schools,” said Democratic Congressman Jim Costa.
But in fact Prop. 30 states that some of money will go toward public safety and helping to balance the state budget.
The Governor says his tax hike plan would prevent six billion dollars in trigger cuts to K-12 schools statewide.
The Valley Tax Coalition says that's a scare tactic.
“That is not true. There's no mechanism to cut educational funding if Prop. 30 does not pass,” said Chris Mathys with the Valley Tax Coalition.
Local school districts say they’ll be forced to cut millions from their budgets if Prop. 30 fails.