Backers say California billionaire tax measure has enough signatures to qualify for November ballot

Monday, April 27, 2026U.S. PoliticsWell-covered4 frames

Backers of the California billionaire tax initiative say they have collected more than 1.5 million signatures to qualify the measure for the November ballot.
The reported signature total is above the roughly 875,000 signatures required for the measure to qualify.
The proposal is backed by SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, a labor union representing health care workers.
The initiative would impose a one-time 5% tax on the wealth or net worth of California residents at the billionaire threshold.
Supporters say the tax revenue would be used primarily for health care, including helping offset funding cuts affecting lower-income Californians and preventing hospital or clinic closures.
The measure has drawn opposition from Gov. Gavin Newsom and from some Silicon Valley and business leaders, setting up a costly political fight if it reaches the ballot.
The initiative is not yet officially on the ballot because election officials still must count and verify the submitted signatures before it can qualify.

Backers of the California billionaire tax initiative say they have collected more than 1.5 million signatures to qualify the measure for the November ballot.
The reported signature total is above the roughly 875,000 signatures required for the measure to qualify.
The proposal is backed by SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, a labor union representing health care workers.
The initiative would impose a one-time 5% tax on the wealth or net worth of California residents at the billionaire threshold.
Supporters say the tax revenue would be used primarily for health care, including helping offset funding cuts affecting lower-income Californians and preventing hospital or clinic closures.
The measure has drawn opposition from Gov. Gavin Newsom and from some Silicon Valley and business leaders, setting up a costly political fight if it reaches the ballot.
The initiative is not yet officially on the ballot because election officials still must count and verify the submitted signatures before it can qualify.