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California leaders yet to reach deal to keep billionaire tax off the ballot. Time is running out
By Levi Sumagaysay, Marisa Kendall, Kristen Hwang and Yue Stella Yu | CalMatters at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· June 23, 2026
· 6 min read
Keith Anthony Sakura among other supporters at a February Billionaire Tax Now rally in Los Angeles (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images )State leaders are feverishly negotiating with special interests behind a few high-profile measures ahead of a Thursday deadline to withdraw them ...
Key takeaway Top Democrats have already announced an agreement between Uber and the state’s trial lawyers to pull rival initiatives they had each spent tens of millions of dollars promoting.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The billionaire tax initiative, still pending, has significant implications for Los Angeles, where wealth disparities are stark and tax revenue could be used to address pressing issues like homelessness and affordable housing. If the initiative makes it to the November ballot, Angelenos will have a chance to weigh in on whether to tax the state's wealthiest residents to fund social programs. The deal between Uber and trial lawyers, meanwhile, may have avoided an expensive battle, but it also underscores the influence of special interests in Sacramento. Legislative leaders' ability to place measures on the ballot and negotiate compromises behind the scenes can be a double-edged sword for Los Angeles residents, who may see their concerns addressed through backroom deals rather than direct democracy. As the Thursday deadline approaches, Los Angeles voters will be watching to see whether state leaders can reach a deal to keep the billionaire tax off the ballot, and what that might mean for the city's most pressing challenges.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 6 min
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What is this story about? Keith Anthony Sakura among other supporters at a February Billionaire Tax Now rally in Los Angeles (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images )State leaders are feverishly negotiating with special interests behind a few high-profile measures ahead of a Thursday deadline to withdraw them ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Levi Sumagaysay, Marisa Kendall, Kristen Hwang and Yue Stella Yu | CalMatters at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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