Governor Jerry Brown was trying to rally support for Proposition 30, which seeks to make “the rich” pay their fair share.

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

Juliet Williams of the AP reports via The Republic.

Brown tells college students Prop. 30 will lead to brighter future, says higher taxes minimal

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Jerry Brown sought to persuade college students on Thursday to support his November tax measure, telling them a quarter-cent increase in the state sales tax and higher income taxes on the wealthy are a small price to pay for a more stable state budget and secure higher education funding.

Putting it in everyday terms, the Democratic governor told about 100 students at Sacramento City College that Proposition 30 asks for a small sacrifice — about a penny on a $4 deli sandwich — from most Californians. But it asks the most from the state’s wealthiest people, who would pay higher income taxes on a sliding scale for annual incomes greater than $250,000.

“I bet anyone here would be glad to pay 3 percent if you could make $1 million,” an energetic Brown said to loud cheers. “That’s all it is, that’s all it is. It is fair, it’s needed and it’s balanced.”

Fees and tuition at community colleges, the California State University and the University of California have risen dramatically during the recession, as state aid has been reduced. Course offerings also have been reduced, forcing students to remain in school longer to get their degrees.

The event was the governor’s second appearance on a campus this week and was part of the kick-off to his public campaign for the initiative, which he has called his top priority. Likely voters have indicated only moderate support for the initiative so far, and that was before opposition groups began airing ads against it.