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California billionaire tax’s chief backer: ‘This is now a national campaign’

Created at 11 Aug · 11:25 PM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

The main proponent of California's proposed wealth tax, Michael Regan, stated the effort has become a national campaign, facing opposition from unions, tech executives, and Governor Gavin Newsom. Regan defended the proposal's strategy and dismissed concerns about billionaires leaving the state.

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Key Numbers

September 2025date of meeting involving teachers' union and Regan's staff

Who's Involved

Michael Regan
chief backer of California's proposed billionaire tax
Gavin Newsom
Governor of California, criticized the billionaire tax plan
Sergey Brin
Google co-founder who publicized relocation to Nevada

↳ Why This Matters

The debate over California's proposed billionaire tax highlights a national struggle over wealth taxation, with proponents framing it as a necessary measure for revenue and opponents warning of economic consequences and capital flight.

Key facts

  • Michael Regan, chief backer of California's proposed billionaire tax, declared the effort a national campaign.
  • Regan stated his organization made extensive outreach efforts to other labor groups and Democratic leaders.
  • The teachers' union countered Regan's claims about outreach, providing calendar invites as evidence.
  • Regan dismissed Governor Gavin Newsom's warnings that the tax would cause billionaires to leave California.
  • Regan argued that billionaires do not supply a significant portion of California's tax revenue.

Michael Regan, the primary proponent of California's proposed wealth tax, has declared the initiative a national campaign, facing significant opposition from various groups. Prominent labor unions, health care organizations, and Governor Gavin Newsom have publicly criticized the measure. A coalition of billionaires and tech executives has reportedly raised tens of millions of dollars to combat the proposal and has introduced their own counter-measures.

Regan defended his organization's strategy, stating that they "did everything that could be asked of us" in their outreach to other labor groups and Democratic leaders. He specifically mentioned that attempts to meet with the teachers' union early last year were declined. However, the teachers' union pushed back against this assertion, providing screenshots of a calendar invite for a September 2025 meeting that included Regan, his staff, and other labor officials, disputing his account of their engagement.

Furthermore, Regan addressed Governor Newsom's warnings that the tax would prompt billionaires to leave California, thereby diminishing the state's tax base. Regan characterized these concerns as a "complete fallacy," arguing that billionaires do not contribute a substantial amount to California's tax revenue. He pointed to Google co-founder Sergey Brin, who has publicized his move to Nevada, as an example of an individual whose business operations would likely remain within the state despite relocating his residency.

Frequently asked questions

Michael Regan is the chief backer and proponent of California's proposed wealth tax on billionaires.

Opposition comes from prominent labor unions, health care groups, tech executives, and Governor Gavin Newsom, who argue it could lead to capital flight and reduce tax revenue.

Regan dismisses these concerns as a fallacy, arguing that billionaires do not supply a significant portion of California's tax revenue and that their businesses would likely remain in the state.

What Happens Next

01The outcome of the proposed California billionaire tax will be determined by voter approval or rejection.
02Further engagement and campaigning are expected from both proponents and opponents of the tax.

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Cadence

How It Developed

Michael Regan stated the California billionaire tax campaign is now national.
Regan defended his organization's outreach efforts.
The teachers' union disputed Regan's timeline of outreach.
Regan dismissed Governor Newsom's concerns about billionaires leaving the state.
Regan cited Sergey Brin's relocation to Nevada as an example of continued business presence.

Sources

T1
California billionaire tax’s chief backer: ‘This is now a national campaign’Politico

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