Story perspectives

Poll Shows 52% Support for California Prop 40 Wealth Tax

By Drooid · Sep 16, 2026, 4:50 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

A Public Policy Institute of California poll shows 52% of likely voters support Proposition 40, a 5% wealth tax on billionaires.
The same poll gave Proposition 41 51% support and Proposition 42 54% support, creating uncertainty for the wealth tax.
A group backed by Google co-founder Sergey Brin spent $41.5 million opposing Proposition 40 and $32 million backing Propositions 41 and 42.
Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra leads Republican Steve Hilton 60% to 38% among likely voters.

History

Historical Context

In October 1913 President Woodrow Wilson signed the Revenue Act of 1913, the first permanent federal income tax after the Sixteenth Amendment, levying a top combined rate of 7% on incomes above $500,000 and taxing roughly three percent of Americans; the shift from tariff to progressive taxation underpins today’s California Proposition 40 wealth-tax proposal.

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Story summary

A Public Policy Institute of California poll shows 52% of likely voters support Proposition 40, a 5% wealth tax on billionaires.
The same poll gave Proposition 41 51% support and Proposition 42 54% support, creating uncertainty for the wealth tax.
A group backed by Google co-founder Sergey Brin spent $41.5 million opposing Proposition 40 and $32 million backing Propositions 41 and 42.
Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra leads Republican Steve Hilton 60% to 38% among likely voters.

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