Five Tax Measures on California’s Ballot Aim to Reshape State Finances

Proposition 3: Making Top-Income Tax Permanent

Proposition 3 would lock in a higher income tax rate for California’s highest earners, currently in place on a temporary basis. Voters approved this tier twice in the past decade—first in 2012 and again in 2022. Without Prop. 3, the rate expires in 2030. The tax typically brings in $5 billion to $15 billion yearly, with the majority flowing to K–12 and community colleges.

Proposition 43: Raising the Bar for Local Tax Initiatives

Proposition 43 seeks to increase the voting threshold for citizen-driven local tax measures from a simple majority to two-thirds approval. Business groups and anti-tax advocates have pushed for such a measure for nearly a decade, arguing it would curb what they see as unchecked local taxation. If passed, it would make it harder for communities to pass new local taxes through ballot initiatives.

Context: Why So Many Tax Measures Now?

The concentration of tax measures reflects broader fiscal pressures and political dynamics. California’s public health insurance programs, which stand to receive most of the wealth tax revenue, are bracing for deep federal cuts under President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, the temporary nature of the top income tax tier—set to expire in 2030—has prompted advocates to seek permanence before the next economic shift.

Prop. 43, long sought by business and anti-tax groups, arrives amid heightened scrutiny over local tax initiatives. Over the past decade, such measures have expanded school funding, housing initiatives, and climate programs, prompting opponents to seek higher approval thresholds to limit future levies.

Public Engagement and Upcoming Events

CalMatters is supporting voter education through its VotingMatters events, with upcoming forums in Watsonville and Woodland Hills offering deeper context on the propositions. The first event is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. today in Watsonville at Cabrillo College’s Watsonville Center, hosted with Santa Cruz Local. A second event follows at 1:30 p.m. in Woodland Hills at Los Angeles Pierce College’s Student Community Center Great Hall.

Polling and Voter Sentiment

Public polling is tight on several of the tax measures, reflecting divided sentiment. While Prop. 40 has drawn attention as the nation’s first state wealth tax, opposition campaigns led by billionaire-backed efforts have introduced competing narratives about fairness, economic impact, and government efficiency.

Prop. 3 enjoys broad support among education advocates, given its consistent revenue stream for schools. Yet concerns about the cumulative tax burden on high earners persist, especially amid national debates over capital flight and investment mobility.

Prop. 43 faces strong backing from business coalitions, but critics warn it could slow local innovation on taxation, particularly in communities seeking to fund housing, climate resilience, or equity programs through ballot measures.

What’s at Stake

Together, the five tax measures could reshape California’s fiscal architecture for years to come. Prop. 40’s wealth tax would establish a new revenue pillar, while Prop. 41 and 42 offer alternative paths that could blunt or redirect its impact. Prop. 3 would institutionalize a key component of the state’s progressive tax structure, and Prop. 43 could alter the balance of power between local governments and their residents when it comes to taxation.

CalMatters notes that the five tax measures represent the most on a general election ballot since 1994, underscoring their significance. The state’s tax policies are not only shaping how public services are funded but also how decisions about fairness, accountability, and growth are made across California’s diverse communities.

Source: CalMatters. Prepared with AI assistance from the linked reporting.