Story perspectives

Becerra Proposes Free Electricity as Hilton Pushes Tax Cut

By Drooid · Oct 1, 2026, 2:51 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton debated on CNN in Los Angeles on September 30, 2026.
Becerra proposed providing free electricity to low-income families.
Hilton proposed eliminating state income tax on the first $150,000 earned.
Hilton said he would fund the tax cut by reducing high-speed rail and homelessness nonprofit budgets by 5%.
Public Policy Institute of California poll in early September showed Becerra leading Hilton 60% to 38% among likely voters.

History

Historical Context

On June 6 1978, voters passed Proposition 13, backed by Governor Jerry Brown and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, capping property taxes at 1% of 1976 values and limiting annual hikes to 2%. The 60% revenue drop spurred later reforms like the 1996 Proposition 218 supermajority rule, and today Xavier Becerra’s free-electricity plan and Steve Hilton’s $150,000 tax exemption revive the fiscal clash ignited by Prop 13.

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Story summary

Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton debated on CNN in Los Angeles on September 30, 2026.
Becerra proposed providing free electricity to low-income families.
Hilton proposed eliminating state income tax on the first $150,000 earned.
Hilton said he would fund the tax cut by reducing high-speed rail and homelessness nonprofit budgets by 5%.
Public Policy Institute of California poll in early September showed Becerra leading Hilton 60% to 38% among likely voters.

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