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Snapshot 5:Thu, Jun 18, 2026 5:58:43 PM GMT last edited by MalcolmStanding

CA Billionaire Tax Hits Ballot

CA Billionaire Tax Hits Ballot, Divides Democrats

Above: Signage in support of the Billionaire Tax Now coalition during a news conference in Los Angeles, California, on April 27. Image credit: Caroline Brehman/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Spin


California's billionaire tax is a wealth-killing scheme that's already driving top earners and their tax dollars out of the state. The top 1% of California taxpayers fund a massive share of the budget, so chasing them off with a 5% wealth levy is fiscal self-sabotage that will benefit other states. Newsom himself called it '"really damaging' "— and he's right.

Billionaires and their political allies are pouring tens of millions into killing a tax that would raise roughly $100 billion for health care, food assistance and education. Newsom is running cover for the ultra-wealthy by recruitingfearmongering teachers and Planneddownplaying Parenthoodwealth to do the dirty workinequality. The SEIU-UHW collected over 1.5 million signatures — Californians clearly want this.


Metaculus Prediction

There is a 42% chance that California will pass a wealth tax before 2051, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 7.4.1

© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 7.4.1