Gov. Jerry Brown approves Ronald Reagan monument at Capitol

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A new statue of Ronald Reagan will stand in Capitol Park in Sacramento, thanks to a bill signed by Gov. Jerry Brown.

In a message explaining his approval of the tribute to the 33rd governor of California and 40th president of the United States, Brown found a way to make a pitch for his tax-hike initiative.

‘Even in those days,’ Brown wrote, referring to when Reagan served as governor and Brown was California secretary of state in the early 1970s, ‘he demonstrated courage and unique leadership ability -- even to the point of raising California taxes when he saw they were needed,’ Brown wrote in a statement released Friday from his office.

Brown’s efforts to extend a series of tax increases approved by another Republican, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, were rebuffed by GOP lawmakers last year. Now he is asking voters to approve Proposition 30, a temporary hike in levies on sales within the state and income of more than $250,000 a year.

Reagan served as California governor from 1967 through 1975. He was preceded by Brown’s father, Pat Brown, and succeeded by Jerry Brown, who first served as governor from 1975 through 1983.

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-- Anthony York in Sacramento