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At a rally in Los Angeles to gather support on California’s proposed “billionaires tax.”US Senator Bernie Sanders warned his audience: Beware of fraudulent messages.
Vermont’s The Independent, CalMatters’ Nigel Duara reports, said Wednesday that ads opposing the tax won’t be as transparent as, “We’re billionaires, we want it all, please vote against this referendum.” Rather, they will threaten retribution.
- Sanders: “They say, ‘If you oppose us, we will punish you.’
Some California billionaires have already done so limit their ties to the statethreatened to run away or said they might plan to do so. They claim that one time, 5% suggested tax would hinder innovation and hurt the state as its budget became increasingly dependent on tax revenue from technology companies. Their multi-million dollar donations to lobby groups and political action committees to fight the motion began to rain.
Politicians from both parties also condemned him: Gov. Gavin Newsom and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie publicly denounced him, and U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., introduced a bill on Wednesday which would prohibit states from retroactively imposing a tax on former state residents.
But the experts pointed out that the threats of the wealthy to leave the state are often exaggerated. Supporters say the tax could generate about $100 billion, which would help offset the roughly $30 billion California is expected to lose in federal Medicaid funds. Those cuts were included in President Donald Trump’s spending bill, which stripped nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid over a decade in order to preserve tax cuts Trump made in 2017 that mostly benefited the wealthy.
- Dr. Jacqueline LasolaOB-GYN, at Wednesday’s rally: “At a time when this administration is gutting our health care, our safety nets and our public services, we’re here to protect Californians. It’s time to tax the billionaires.”
What should justice look like in California today? Join us in Los Angeles or virtually on February 25 for a conversation with Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman, former CDCR Director Dave Lewis and Heidi Rummel of the Post-Conviction Justice Project about prosecution, incarceration and whether reform or tougher policies will define the state’s future. Register here.
Other stories you should know
Bill is committed to further protecting student information
A bill to shore up loopholes in a landmark state law passed more than 10 years ago aims for additional protections personal information of students from technology companieswrites Adam Echelman of CalMatters.
MP Dawn AddisThe bill, currently before the Senate, would strengthen a 2014 law that prohibits education technology companies from selling and disclosing student data. But the law applies to products that “primarily” serve K-12 schools and are marketed to students. Many technology companies have gotten around the law by claiming that their products are not primarily designed for students or designed for the classroom.
The San Luis Obispo Democrat’s measure would expanding the number of education technology companies that are applicable to state student privacy laws. It would also allow students and parents to sue companies for privacy violations.
The California Chamber of Commerce and TechNet, a trade association that represents technology companies, oppose the bill, arguing that it would stifle investment in technical training tools.
Reynolds cruises to the lead role
Former lawyer for a self-driving car company will now lead the state regulatory body which oversees aspects of autonomous vehicle regulation, CalMatters’ Malena Carollo reports.
Governor Newsom appointed Commissioner John Reynolds as President of the California Public Service Commission. In a statementNewsom said Reynolds’ promotion “underscores a renewed focus on cost-cutting,” including reducing utility bills through oversight.
Reynolds will replace Alice Reynolds (no relation), who will be reappointed to the California Independent System Operator’s Board of Governors.
John Reynolds once served as a managing advisor to Cruise, a driverless car company. He received criticism for his previous position while serving on the CPUC in 2023. At the time, safety concerns surrounding autonomous vehicles led the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to call for Reynolds’ resignation and revoke Cruz’s autonomous vehicle permits.
Read more.
California voices
CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: For years, tech moguls assumed they didn’t have to worry about government, but changing attitudes have prompted Silicon Valley to do something it’s never done before: Try to choose a technology governor.
Children who do not have access to vision care are at risk of falling behind in school, but only 16% of school-age children on Medi-Cal receive basic eye care, write Dr. Brian Park and Ted Lempertpresidents of the California Optometric Association and Children Now, respectively.
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The Trump administration looks set to join him allegation that LAUSD discriminates against white students // Los Angeles Times
District attorneys are looking into whether Edison Should Be Criminally Charged Over Eaton Fire // Los Angeles Times
