Medi-Cal and One Big Beautiful Bill: Federal Medicaid Reforms and the Fiscal Premise of California’s Billionaire Tax Act
Hoover Institution – Proponents of the 2026 California Billionaire Tax Act argue that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) of 2025 created a “$19 billion per year budget hole” in California’s “already underfunded health care safety net,” justifying a one-time five percent wealth tax on California billionaires. We examine the OBBBA’s actual fiscal effect […]
Jack up taxes on California’s rich? Popular liberal mantra, but bad idea
Los Angeles Times – The Democrats’ mantra this election year — especially among wannabe governors — is that the richest Californians should “pay their fair share.” But by any objective measurement, they already do.
Another sales tax hike? Rising costs a concern for L.A. voters in healthcare measure
Los Angeles Times – It’s been years since Los Angeles County voters met a sales tax they didn’t like. They agreed to pay half a cent more at the cash register to fund buses, trains and pothole fillings in 2016. The next year, they gave a quarter-cent more to fund homeless services. In 2024, voters […]
Could Californians save at the pump? Congress debates gas tax pause
ABC10 – Gas prices remained elevated Monday as uncertainty continues over the war in Iran and a ceasefire President Donald Trump described as “on life support.” According to AAA, the national average price for a gallon of regular gas stood at $4.50 Monday afternoon. In California, the statewide average was about $6.20 per gallon of […]
Opinion: Billionaire tax would hurt California’s nonprofits
The Sacramento Business Journal – Charity begins at home, in more ways than one. While wealthy philanthropists support causes around the world, data show that donors disproportionately fund causes in their home state. As billionaires depart California in response to a proposed wealth tax, much of their philanthropy could move with them.
Opinion: California already losing with billionaire tax referendum
The Washington Post – The sponsors of a referendum in California to take 5 percent of the assets of all billionaires in the state said last week that they’ve submitted enough signatures to get their measure on the ballot in November. Even if it ultimately fails, the specter of such a wealth tax has already […]
New plans, new price tag for California’s high-speed rail project
KTLA 5 – New cost estimates are in for California’s high-speed rail project, and the price tag has gone up again. The massive rail system is designed to one day connect Los Angeles and San Francisco, with future extensions planned to San Diego and Sacramento.
Sneaky billionaire tax clause could eventually target middle class taxpayers, business group warns
California Post – California’s controversial billionaire tax could eventually hit more than just the people at the top of the financial food chain — eventually hurting the everyday Californian — according to a powerful Sacramento business group.
California’s billionaire tax is an immoral scam
Orange County Register – California found a convenient piggy bank to raid in response to its looming budget crisis. A proposal to tax 5% of the net worth of roughly 200 billionaires is gaining momentum.
California Is Rife With Hospice Fraud. But Whose Fault Is It?
The New York Times – Hospice fraud in California has been remarkably brazen. Medicare recipients have been signed up for care without their knowledge by thieves who stole their identities. Providers have paid kickbacks to people to enroll even though they aren’t terminally ill and don’t qualify. Sham companies have fabricated lists of employees.