@japdmedia26: Sacramento, California — U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has criticized wealthy individuals funding opposition to California's proposed billionaire tax, accusing them of protecting their fortunes while families struggle with healthcare costs. During a televised interview, Sanders defended Proposition 40, which proposes a one-time 5% tax on certain assets held by billionaires. Most of the money raised would go toward healthcare, with the remaining funds allocated to education and food assistance. Sanders claimed that West Coast billionaires had become $500 billion richer over the past year. He questioned their priorities, saying: “They are doing phenomenally well and really [it] is quite disgusting, to my mind, that they think it’s more important that they hang on to their $200 billion rather than make sure the kids of California have health care,” He also said: “The fact of the matter is, we have more income and wealth inequality in America today,” Meanwhile, a California Post poll conducted by McLaughlin & Associates found that 52.6% of respondents opposed Proposition 40, while 34.5% supported it and 11.5% remained undecided. Pollster John McLaughlin suggested that public distrust of state politicians and concerns about affordability could be contributing to the opposition. “Voters just don’t trust Sacramento politicians when it comes to taxes. Whenever pollsters ask should we raise taxes on billionaires? People say why not but naturally when we ask should they raise taxes on you? People say no — especially when affordability is the top issue,” Google co-founder Sergey Brin has also emerged as a major financial backer of the opposition campaign. Reports indicate that he has contributed approximately $102 million to Building a Better California, an organization campaigning against the proposed tax. California voters are scheduled to decide the measure on November 3, 2026. The debate continues over whether taxing billionaires is the right way to fund healthcare and other public services. #BernieSanders #SergeyBrin #California #USA #japd

JAPD

Open In TikTok:

Region: US

Monday 02 November 2026 02:20:19 GMT