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A new poll shows that likely California voters support Proposition 40, which proposes a 5% one-time tax on the total wealth of billionaires in the state, with 52% in favor and 46% against. However, the poll also reveals significant backing for two "poison pill" measures, Prop. 41 and Prop. 42, funded by Sergey Brin, which could nullify key parts of Proposition 40 if they receive more votes. These findings highlight potential challenges for proponents of the billionaire tax, as supporters of the countermeasures lead in voter preference according to the survey conducted between September 4-10.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
A recent Public Policy Institute of California survey found that 52% of likely voters support Proposition 40, a proposed one-time tax on billionaires’ total wealth at a rate of 5%. However, the same poll revealed significant backing for two competing propositions, Prop. 41 and Prop. 42, which are funded by Google co-founder Sergey Brin and aim to nullify key parts of Proposition 40 if they receive more votes. These "poison pill" measures have garnered support from 51% (for Prop. 41) and 54% (for Prop. 42) of voters, posing a significant challenge for proponents of the billionaire tax. Mark Baldassare, director of PPIC’s statewide survey, noted that supporters of Proposition 40 must address the growing support for these rival measures.
Written for “California Billionaire Tax Poll” on 2026-09-18,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score -0.45 for article 14704 (high confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-09-17
California voters favor the billionaire tax that’s on the November ballot, according to a new poll — but there are pitfalls ahead for the controversial measure that’s spurred some of the ultra-wealthy to take their business elsewhere.
uncertain
that → favor → business
Fifty-two percent of likely voters said they support Proposition 40, the proposed 5% one-time tax on the total wealth of billionaires in the state, according to a Public Policy Institute survey of 1,103 California voters about 14 measures on the November ballot.
uncertain
they → say → ballot
Forty-six percent were against, while 2% said they didn’t know.
asserted
they → say → ?
But a similar percentage of voters were in favor of two “poison pill” measures that would nullify key parts of the billionaire tax if they receive more votes, the poll found.
asserted
poll → nullify → votes
Both of those measures, Prop. 41 and Prop. 42, were funded by Google co-founder Sergey Brin, who has spent more than $100 million on a handful of initiatives meant to address taxes, governance reform and building rules — and kill the billionaire tax in the process.
asserted
who → fund → process
Prop. 42, which leads with 54% voicing support in the poll would prohibit new taxes on personal property excluding real estate, such as retirement accounts, intellectual property and financial assets.
asserted
which → lead → accounts
If the measure wins more votes, it would prevent the billionaire tax from taking effect.
asserted
it → win → effect
Prop. 41, holding a narrow lead with 51% in the poll, would increase audits of new taxpayer-funded programs and also includes a provision that would block the billionaire tax.
“The supporters of Prop. 40 have to think about and perhaps do something about the fact that so many people are supporting 41 and 42,” Mark Baldassare, PPIC’s statewide survey director, told the Mercury News in an interview.
asserted
Baldassare → hold → interview
“Therein lies the problem when you have measures and countermeasures on the ballot.”
asserted
you → lie → ballot
The PPIC survey was conducted between Sept. 4 and Sept. 10 and had a margin of error of 3.8 percentage points.
asserted
survey → conduct → points
The SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, lead proponent of the billionaire tax plan, say it’s needed to replenish federal funding cuts in healthcare and education.
asserted
it → say → healthcare
Critics — who include Gov. Gavin Newsom and business interests — argue it would damage California’s economy, leading to a loss of 100,000 jobs and billions in tax revenue over time as billionaires opt to relocate, according to one analysis.
uncertain
billionaires → include → analysis
SEIU-UHW leader Dave Regan has described the tax plan as part of a national push to raise levies on the ultra-wealthy.
asserted
Regan → describe → wealthy
“I think this is now a national campaign,” Regan told Politico in August.
asserted
Regan → think → August
“We knew this was provocative, we knew it would touch a nerve, but we completely underestimated how much interest and attention it would generate.”
Brin’s political spending group Building a Better California has also contributed money to Prop. 45, a measure intended to set limits on California Environmental Quality Act building reviews.
asserted
group → know → reviews
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