Capitol Alert: AM Alert: PPIC poll finds support for 'split-roll' property tax

VIDEO: Dan Walters says the state has a way to go to achieve its trademark optimism.

Stop the presses: Proposition 13 is still popular, according to a new Public Policy Institute of California poll.

But 58 percent of likely voters surveyed support changing it to allow for what's called a "split roll" property tax in which commercial properties are assessed at their current market value. Two-thirds of Democrats and 58 percent of independents favor such a move, but Republicans are divided on the issue, with 47 percent for it and 48 percent against it.

Mark Baldassare, PPIC's president and its survey director, joins policy associate Jui Shrestha at a luncheon today to discuss the results of the wide-ranging survey, which you can read at this link.

The event runs from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacramento, 1017 11th St. Click here for more information and to register in advance. Lunch will be provided at no charge.

Also in Sacramento, state schools chief Tom Torlakson gives welcoming remarks at a UC Berkeley symposium on K-12 schools and sustainable communities. Click here for the agenda of the all-day event, which starts at 10 a.m. at the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria, 828 I St.

Tonight, the group California Women Lead hosts a panel discussion at the University of Southern California's Sacramento Center about women's impact on politics. Panelists include Beth Miller of Miller Public Affairs, Karen Skelton of Skelton Strategies, and Dan Schnur, director of USC's Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics. The group's executive director, Rachel Michelin, will moderate. It's too late to register, but you can read more at this link.

CAPITOL STEPS: Members of the group Intactivist protest the practice of infant circumcision. They plan to gather on the west steps of the Capitol at 11 a.m.

HOLIDAY MUSIC: It's that time again. The American River Chorus performs at the Capitol rotunda at 11 a.m., followed by the Davis High School Advanced Treble Choir at noon. Click here for the full schedule.