Why California’s plan to tax billionaires is misguided
In America’s federal system, the rich can easily shift to more competitive states
In America’s federal system, the rich can easily shift to more competitive states

Over the past 50 years the state has become overly reliant on a few deep pockets that it cannot afford to lose

The proposed levy on people worth 10 figures and above has rattled Silicon Valley and split Democratic leaders

High costs have created a self-reinforcing exodus of business and workers

Lobbyists watered down legislation that would have frozen investor-owned firms out of largest state

It is becoming harder to keep wealthy nomads and ordinary voters happy

A proposed tax referendum has Silicon Valley leaders making plans to leave the state