Selling higher taxes in today’s economic climate is tough, and no one knows it like California Governor Jerry Brown. In an attempt to make up the state’s huge budget gap, and after failing to garner any Republican votes in the legislature for his tax proposal, he has taken his plan to the people via Proposition 30, which will be appearing on the November ballot.

But Brown’s plan won’t be alone come voting time, as civil rights attorney Molly Munger has put forth Proposition 38, which is her unique vision for raising taxes. Basically, Brown’s plan would raise taxes on couples making over $500,000 and increase the sales tax by a quarter cent. Under Munger’s plan, taxes for everyone who makes above $7,316 would go up, and the wealthiest would be hit the hardest. Right now, the polls show that Brown’s proposal is more popular than Munger’s, but attack ads could diminish this lead.

What are the ins and outs of each tax plan? How are voters reacting to the chronically perilous political issue of raising taxes? What happens if both tax plans pass? Or what if voters reject both of them?

Guests:

Julie Small, KPCC's State Capitol Reporter

Pamela Behrsin, Vice President of Communications, Maplight - a nonpartisan political money tracker