The latest Field Poll suggests that the Prop 30 vote is going to be a real nail biter, but there are some positive signs for supporters of the governor's tax plan.
When we tried to ask him about the number of undecided voters, all Brown said was, "Vote yes on 30, vote yes on 30, vote yes on 30."
The governor walked into his appearance at Commonwealth Club without taking questions about the new numbers. In the final days of the campaign for Prop 30, he is all about making his case for a temporary sales tax increase on everything except groceries and gasoline and a longer hike on income taxes for those making over a quarter million a year.
"Those who have done the best, can't they help us in California's time of need?" asked Brown.
Without the $6 billion that Prop 30 would generate, Brown warned automatic trigger cuts already in the budget will take that amount out of the state's funding for schools.
"Money into the schools and colleges into the California dream or out. In or out, yes or no," said Brown.
The newest statewide poll shows more Californians saying yes: 48 percent to 38 percent, with 14 percent undecided. Pollster Mark DiCamillo runs the Field Poll.
"Really all the governor needs is another two or three percentage points out of the undecided and this thing would pass. So I think the chances are better than even," said DiCamillo.
But the former chair of the California Republican Party, Duf Sundheim, doesn't think so.
"Usually, when you are at this situation, this close to the election and your below 50 percent, the odds are against it," said Sundheim.
And Sundheim is right about that. Take a look at the numbers one more time: 14 percent are undecided -- those undecided voters tend to break heavily for the no side.
"It's just voters are resistant to change, all other things being equal," said DiCamillo.
The No on 30 Campaign is certainly trying to raise doubts about the proposition. The campaign has received an $11 million donation from anonymous sources from out of state -- a contribution the governor believes is illegal.
"The appropriate authorities, mainly the FPPC and the attorney general, are in court as we speak," said Brown.
This week, as you probably know, a Sacramento judge ruled that the voters have a right to know who donated the $11 million. However, the ruling is being appealed and it's not clear that we're going to get to the bottom of it before Election Day.
Meanwhile, the vote over Prop 30 looks like it's going to be very close.
