Proposition 40 would impose a one-time 5% tax on the wealth of Californians worth at least $1 billion. The Oaklandside noted it would be the first tax of its kind in the country. The San Francisco Standard reported that supporters project it would raise $100 billion over five years, that opponents including Google co-founder Sergey Brin have spent more than $300 million against it, and that recent polling suggests support has slipped. The Standard also said the measure has put Gov. Gavin Newsom in a political bind.
Oakland
Jessica Ramirez Jefferson, 53, a lifelong East Oakland resident, told The Oaklandside and Oakland North at the 81st Avenue Branch Library voting center that she thinks the measure could help reduce inequality. “We have too much of a differentiated line,” she said. “That is, you're either broke or you're super wealthy. There's not much in between.” She said she hopes the money could help struggling city services, including road repairs.
Fruhar Safa, interviewed inside the 19th Street Oakland BART station, said she also supports the measure but thinks it falls short because the tax would happen only once. Another downtown voter, identified as Joey K., said she supports it because she believes it would improve living standards.
Richmond
At the Nevin Community Center, Richmond Confidential spoke with Jonah Benamotz, who said he came to vote yes on Prop 40 and no on Prop 43, the countermeasure. He said he doesn't usually vote in midterms but wanted to weigh in because “billionaires should be paying a share too.”
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No results had been released when this story was published. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m.