Original Article on Los Angeles Times

Reporting from Sacramento -- Introducing a measure of optimism into the state's dire fiscal situation, Gov. Jerry Brown said Tuesday that his 2012-13 budget would increase education funding and that the outlook for schools would remain strong if voters pass his initiative to raise taxes. Brown made the comments during an hourlong Capitol news conference, where he weighed in on topics such as the Occupy movement and the field of Republican presidential candidates. The governor also lamented that he had been unable to get the four GOP votes necessary to present voters this year with his plan to extend higher sales, vehicle and income taxes. "I did think asking voters to vote on a tax was profoundly different than raising a tax," Brown said. ...(read more)