Senator Bernie Sanders campaigned in Southern California on October 6, 2026, for a wealth tax, known as Proposition 40, which is set to appear on the ballot in November. The measure has attracted significant campaign spending, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. Sanders described Proposition 40 as a critical initiative, stating, "What you are showing people from coast to coast and all over is that, yes, we can take on the greed of the oligarchs." He emphasized the need for an economy that benefits all citizens, not just the wealthiest.
During the event, Sanders referenced several billionaire tech founders, including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sergey Brin, which elicited negative reactions from the audience. Brin is reportedly funding a campaign against the proposed tax through a group called Building a Better California.
Labor leaders, speaking at a union training facility in La Palma, expressed concerns that the wealth tax, while presented as a one-time tax on billionaires, could inadvertently affect the savings and retirement accounts of all Californians. Xochitl Medrano, political director for the Ironworkers of the State of California and Vicinity, stated, "Our workers are not billionaires; they are working people... We won’t stand by and let a tax that’s supposed to target billionaires turn into a trap door for working families."
Proposition 40 is among the most debated measures on the November 3 ballot, created to address anticipated federal healthcare funding cuts amounting to $100 billion. Two opposing measures, Propositions 41 and 42, could nullify the billionaire tax if they receive enough votes.
Recent polling data from UC Berkeley and the Los Angeles Times indicated that 45% of likely voters support Proposition 40, while 42% oppose it, and 13% remain undecided. This reflects a slight decrease in support compared to a previous poll.
The campaign against Proposition 40 has garnered over $300 million in contributions, primarily from those opposing the measure. Sanders was joined at the rally by Representative Ro Khanna and artists, including rapper Common, who voiced support for the wealth tax. Attendee Datosha Williams, a member of SEIU-UHW, highlighted concerns about potential job losses and healthcare access due to federal cuts.
Andrew Gonzales, a representative for the Los Angeles and Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council, expressed that while there is support for taxing the wealthy, Proposition 40 may not be the appropriate approach, citing the potential negative effects on the state budget due to wealthy individuals relocating out of California.
The article also notes the contributions of Seema Mehta and Nicole Nixon, political writers for the Los Angeles Times, who cover national and state politics.