Union Coalition Poised To Submit Tax Extension Initiative

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - A group of unions, hospitals and doctors says it will turn in more than enough signatures to qualify a ballot initiative asking voters to extend a temporary income tax increase on the wealthy.

The tax would raise billions of dollars for California government, much of which would go to education and health care.

Voters in 2012 approved Proposition 30 raising sales taxes by a quarter-cent and income taxes on salaries above $250,000. This new initiative would allow the sales tax to expire but continue the income tax hike through 2031.

The group said Wednesday it's submitting nearly 1 million signatures for verification. At least 585,000 must be found valid.

The proponents reported having $13 million in the bank as of the end of March, most of it from hospitals.