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RandySF

(85,445 posts)
Sun Apr 26, 2026, 06:07 PM Yesterday

California's Billionaire Tax Has the Signatures

“Backers of the proposed California billionaire tax believe they have gathered enough signatures to get the initiative on the November ballot, according to people familiar with the campaign, likely kicking off a bruising battle over the initiative,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“More than 1.5 million people have signed a petition to get the one-time, 5% wealth tax on statewide ballots in November, the people said. They said they expect that will be more than enough to clear the required 875,000-signature threshold, even after accounting for illegible or invalid signatures.”



https://politicalwire.com/2026/04/26/californias-billionaire-tax-has-the-signatures/

5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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California's Billionaire Tax Has the Signatures (Original Post) RandySF Yesterday OP
After this one time, it can never be imposed again? MichMan Yesterday #1
What is your point? Billionaires shouldn't be taxed? Buddyzbuddy 23 hrs ago #2
Where did I say that? MichMan 23 hrs ago #3
First, I apologize MichMan, for incorrectly reading the OP. Buddyzbuddy 14 hrs ago #4
California has around 200 billionaires collectively possessing $2 trillion in wealth ... Auggie 6 hrs ago #5

MichMan

(17,291 posts)
1. After this one time, it can never be imposed again?
Sun Apr 26, 2026, 06:33 PM
Yesterday

Any future billionaires are off the hook I suppose. Does the petition address how they plan to assess the total value of everyone's total wealth to determine who is eligible, and how much they would owe?

Buddyzbuddy

(2,764 posts)
2. What is your point? Billionaires shouldn't be taxed?
Sun Apr 26, 2026, 08:19 PM
23 hrs ago

Also, what is your source for that information? I'm not saying your wrong. I would just like to be better informed. Nor am I saying, even if it were to be true would I vote against it.
In general, billionaires are the single most reason our Country is in this mess. Since our Federal gov't won't act then it's up to states to act. Especially important to push back at this time.

MichMan

(17,291 posts)
3. Where did I say that?
Sun Apr 26, 2026, 08:51 PM
23 hrs ago

Source for what information?

The OP and the link within state it is a "one time" tax. That would appear to mean it can never be imposed again, even on a new batch of billionaires 5 years from now. Why?

As far as determining how much total wealth people have, how else would you determine it if the government doesn't assess it? Total wealth includes everything someone owns including real estate, houses, cars, businesses, jewelry, art, investments, collectables, furniture, appliances and other household items, and pretty much everything else.

First off, the government would need to determine who is eligible or not. Does someone have $1 million, $100 million, $900 million or $1 billion or more? Then for those with over a billion, they need to determine the exact total value of all their wealth. How? Currently, all they know is the value of real estate for property taxes and also reported income. They would have to determine the value of everything else.

Just asking if the proposal addresses how that would be administered and what methods they would use? Seems really difficult without going door to door and examining and evaluating all possessions. If you have heard a different explanation on exactly how that would be implemented, I would love to hear it.

Buddyzbuddy

(2,764 posts)
4. First, I apologize MichMan, for incorrectly reading the OP.
Mon Apr 27, 2026, 05:51 AM
14 hrs ago

I missed the reference to the one time tax. You've given me something to research further.

Second, I didn't say you stated you were against it but I questioned your implication by criticizing the bill and I wanted a clearer understanding of the bill.
I must admit, once I see "tax the billionaires" I become very excited about having the opportunity to do just that. I really have to slow down and pay attention to more details.

A one time tax is just a patch for a budgetary gov't screw-up. We need a sustainable tax. I don't see how they an retroactively reassess property taxes previously purchased since Howard Jarvis's Prop 13 from the 1970's is law.
Only moving forward can they possibly establish a luxury tax on properties over a certain amount or supplemental taxes on homeowners of multiple properties like hedge fund investments.

Auggie

(33,248 posts)
5. California has around 200 billionaires collectively possessing $2 trillion in wealth ...
Mon Apr 27, 2026, 02:01 PM
6 hrs ago

according to this link: https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/initiatives/pdfs/25-0024A1%20%28Billionaire%20Tax%20%29.pdf

The link directs to the Billionaire tax amendment written last year sent to Attorney General Rob Banta.

Quickie math: 5% tax on $2 trillion equals $100 billion dollars.

For someone lucky enough to have $1 billion dollars, 5% equals to a tax of $50 million. Pocket change, to a billionaire. They can earn that back easily enough.

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