SEIU Delenda Est

8 hours ago

California's ballot initiative system allows interest groups to propose measures, with the 2026 Billionaire Tax Act being a current example.
The Billionaire Tax Act proposes a 5% wealth tax on billionaires, including unrealized gains, which could harm Silicon Valley's startup model.
Critics argue the tax is poorly written, potentially taxing founders more than their actual ownership and being retroactive, possibly leading to billionaire flight.
SEIU, a healthcare workers' union, sponsors the tax, with 90% of revenue earmarked for healthcare, benefiting their members regardless of the state's overall revenue.
SEIU has a history of using ballot initiatives as leverage for concessions, exemplified by past attempts to regulate hospitals and dialysis clinics.
The union's tactics have been criticized as extortion, with repeated proposals targeting industries until concessions are made.
Governor Gavin Newsom is reportedly negotiating with SEIU to withdraw the billionaire tax initiative, highlighting the political leverage such measures provide.
The situation illustrates a potential flaw in direct democracy, where interest groups may propose destructive initiatives to gain bargaining power.

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