California billionaire tax secures enough signatures to make ballot
Also reported by The Hill, Guardian World
Summary
A proposal to tax California billionaires has collected enough signatures to appear on the November ballot. The measure would charge a one-time 5% tax on people with a net worth of $1 billion or more to fund healthcare, education, and food assistance programs in California.Key Facts
- The proposal is backed by SEIU-UHW, a union representing over 120,000 healthcare workers in California.
- More than 1.5 million signatures were collected, surpassing the 875,000 needed for the ballot.
- The tax would be a one-time 5% charge on billionaires with at least $1 billion in net worth.
- It is expected to raise about $100 billion over five years.
- The money would help prevent hospital and clinic closures and support K-14 education and food aid programs.
- California has about 200 billionaires with a combined wealth of $2 trillion.
- Opponents, including Governor Gavin Newsom and billionaire Bill Ackman, say the tax could hurt the economy and cause billionaires to leave the state.
- Supporters argue the tax is fairer because billionaires currently pay a lower tax rate compared to middle-class Californians.
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