Gov. Brown Says Deal Reached With Rival Group on Tax-Increase Initiative

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP and KQED) Gov. Jerry Brown says he has reached a deal with a rival group to combine forces on a November ballot initiative seeking to raise taxes.

Brown told The Associated Press on Wednesday he is happy with an agreement reached with advocates of the so-called millionaire's tax, including the California Federation of Teachers and Courage Campaign.

Brown says joining forces creates a higher probability of victory, ``and that's good for school kids, it's good for public safety.'' The governor made the comments Wednesday after a press conference at The Boeing Co. facility in Long Beach.

Brown had proposed his own tax initiative that would temporarily raise sales taxes and income taxes on high earners.

The Democratic governor declined to discuss details of the deal, saying he expects an announcement later Wednesday.

Earlier, KQED's John Myers reported that multiple sources told him the deal "would adhere in some ways to Brown's existing initiative -- mainly, by still including a small sales tax increase -- but would boost the income tax increase on the wealthy above where the governor has proposed, while still making all of the taxes temporary."

Myers said that "conversations with several Democratic and Capitol sources reveal a tax proposal that feels much more like the governor's than the one being promoted by a coalition including the California Federation of Teachers."