While the governor’s revised initiative campaign has been busily collecting signatures, a rival tax initiative is sticking in the game, as the governor has been unable to knock of a competing measure spearheaded by civil rights attorney Molly Munger. Her proposal would raise income taxes in order to fund schools. The governor has been concerned all along that two tax-related initiatives on the ballot will create confusion and that voters may just be inclined to reject both. But Munger has been adamant all along that her campaign isn’t going away. Case in point: She dished out another $2.15 million into her proposal and campaign leaders have reported that signature-gathering is on track for qualification. Around 504,000 valid voter signatures must be collected to make the November ballot.

The Bee reports that the stakes are high for petition-gatherers:

“Michael Arno, whose company is spearheading the drive to qualify Molly Munger's tax measure for the November ballot, plans to give away a car each week in a drawing involving his top signature gatherers. The weekly winner can choose a favorite vehicle in the $15,000 price range, said Arno, whose firm must gather 504,760 valid voter signatures.”

More about Munger can be seen here.

When the governor was forced to revise his tax initiative and merge with a rival measure from the California Federation of Teachers, time was not on his side. While the campaign is still racing to qualify for the November ballot by collecting signatures, the governor has found favor in the form of donations. Big checks have been flooding the campaign and $3 million in new donations were just recently disclosed; in addition, overall almost $11 million has been collected in just the past few weeks. NBC News reports:

“The large contributions are coming from labor unions and education coalitions in a preview of what the fall campaign will look like. The California Federation of Teachers, which had been floating a rival measure before joining with the governor, kicked in $500,000. The California School Employees Association donated $800,00. The California Medical Association wrote a check for $250,000. And Assembly Speaker John Perez's campaign committee contributed $100,000.”

In order to qualify for the November ballot, 807,615 valid voter signatures must be collected no later than early May. Since the revised measure got started so late in the game, the large donations are a byproduct of the short window of time and the expense of collecting signatures in such a narrow frame. It is being estimated that it could cost as much as $8 million to qualify the ballot over such a short period because signature gatherers are reportedly being paid $3 a signature. Of course, if the measure qualifies as expected, the costs will continue to grow as proponents attempt to rally support among voters.

As expected, the leading makers of cigarettes are dishing out major campaign contributions to defeat Proposition 29. Voters this June will decide whether to support a $1-per pack tax on cigarettes in order to fund cancer research. In response, recently more than $9 million in new contributions were made by Philip Morris, USA and R.J. Reynolds (and that’s on top of $12 million that was already donated). The pro-Prop 29 side has a high-profile donator of its own, as cycling champion and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong has lent his name and money to the campaign. This is how the nonpartisan LAO has described the ballot measure:

“A YES vote on this measure means: State excise taxes on cigarettes would increase by $1 per pack to a total of $1.87 per pack. These additional revenues would be dedicated to fund cancer and tobacco-related disease research and tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
A NO vote on this measure means: State excise taxes on cigarettes would remain at the current level of 87 cents per pack and would continue to be used for existing purposes, including childhood development programs and various health and tobacco prevention and cessation programs.”

Proponents of the initiative also released the following video to rally support for the tax:

For more information about Proposition 29, the Sacramento Bee recently hosted a chat and debate on the initiative and you can read the conversation that took place here.

The Secretary of State has announced that proponents for the "Government Spending Limit Act of 2012" can begin gathering signatures. One of the initiative’s backers is the California Taxpayers Association because the proposal would limit annual state spending to the previous year's level; in addition, surplus revenue would have to go toward paying off debt. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is also backing the initiative. Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, commented the following:

“The politicians haven't enacted real pension reform. They haven't streamlined government or prioritized spending programs. Instead of cutting waste, corruption and inefficiencies, they threaten cuts to programs like schools and law enforcement unless we raise taxes. This measure will allow voters to make a clear choice between higher taxes or responsible limits on government spending.”

In order to qualify for the ballot, 807,615 signatures from registered voters must be collected by August 13th. Thomas W. Hiltachk is the listed proponent. We relayed last month that rumors have circulated that the proponents of such a spending cap may opt to hold off on gathering signatures and reattempt passage in 2014.

Here is the official ballot title and description:

The Secretary of State has released many new changes since our last update. Here’s a rundown on the latest initiatives to circulate, fail, and qualify.

12-0012 - "Property Taxation"
Initiative Pending at the Attorney General's Office.

1581. (12-0006) Tuition and Fees at University of California, California State University, and Community Colleges. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
New Initiative Cleared for Circulation.

1532. (11-0059) Human Trafficking. Penalties. Sex Offender Registration. Initiative Statute.
Initiative Pending Signature Verification.

1516. (11-0039) Marijuana Legalization. Initiative Statute.
Initiative Failed to Qualify

1514. (11-0037) Prohibits Abortions for Females Under 18 Without Parental Notification. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
Initiative Failed to Qualify

1515. (11-0038) Prohibits Abortions for Females Under 18 Without Parental Notification and Waiting Period. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
Initiative Failed to Qualify

1513. (11-0033, Amdt. #1S) Tax on California Oil and Natural Gas. Revenues to Education. Initiative Statute.
Initiative Failed to Qualify.

12-0011 - "College and University Funding and Accountability Act"
Initiative Pending at the Attorney General's Office.

1580. (12-0002) Property Taxes. Expanded Exemption for Disabled Veterans. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
New Initiative Cleared for Circulation.

1506. (11-0029) State and Local Legislation and Policies. Initiative Statute.
Initiative Failed to Qualify

1507. (11-0030) Gifts to State and Local Government Officials. Disqualification. Initiative Statute.
Initiative Failed to Qualify