Latest poll shows Californians accept Gov. Brown's tax hike plan

Californians are willing to bite the bullet and accept tax hike plans to close a yawning budget deficit, according to poll results.

Governor Jerry Brown has proposed a plan centred around tax hikes to balance the state's budget, which is reeling from a $27 billion deficit through mid-2012. But his proposals have faced strong opposition from the Republicans in the state legislature.

However, the latest Times/USC poll has shown that sixty percent of the survey respondents -- both Democrats and Republicans -- are supporting Governor Brown's plans.

Brown has been touring the state to shore up support for his deficit plan, as per which a referendum will be held to decide whether several tax increases can be renewed.

The survey showed that there was less support for the alternative plan proposed by the Republicans, under which there would be no referendum, but a steeper cut into state services will help bridge the gap. As many as 33 percent of respondents supported this plan.

Also, the number of people supporting an all-cut plan, which could result in school funding, also dwindled to 25 percent.

California's deficit is the largest of any of the 50 U.S. states in absolute dollar terms, according to Reuters.