As our philosophically hollow Governor joins liberal Democrats in calling for a tax increase to close the yawning budget gap, many eyes are on Sen. Lou Correa, who is conventionally viewed as a moderate Democrat.

If a tax increase passes, it will be by narrow margin, probably no more than a vote or two (if the taxers succeed in convincing a GOP Senator to squish out). Since they can't afford to lose a single Democratic vote, the pressure on Correa will be intense.

Obviously, the last thing Lou would want to do is increase the sale tax by 1 cent. Sales taxes are regressive and more heavily impact the poor and working class. Lou has a re-election coming up in 2010, and making life harder for his contituents by hiking the sales tax would hand his opponent a mighty club with which to beat him up.

There's also the matter of Lou Correa's 2006 campaign pledge in not to raise taxes, made in this campaign mailer (H/T to Matt Rexroad at the FlashReport.org) letter:

"I'll oppose higher taxes and put our money into things I know government can do successfully: fix roads and improve public safety, police and fire services."

Personally, I doubt Lou caves. Breaking his promise and supporting a sales tax hike would be politically suicidal.