Editorials warn Proposition 40 “does not solve the state’s health problems” and “will do ongoing harm to the state’s economy”
SACRAMENTO, CA — In case you missed it, The Bakersfield Californian and El Popular — Kern County’s largest newspaper and most widely circulated Spanish-language publication, respectively — urged Californians to vote NO on Proposition 40 in recent editorials.
These publications warn that “it will do ongoing harm to the state’s economy” and “directs 90 percent of its revenue toward health care spending…without requiring that any specific share reach patients directly or lower what families pay for care.”
The Bakersfield Californian: Our View: Tax propositions hurt state, Californians (September 19, 2026)
The Bakersfield Californian urges voters to reject Propositions 40 because it will not collect the revenue promised, is opposed by California’s healthcare, education, business, and public safety leaders, harms the state’s economy, does not address our healthcare challenges, and fails to fund critical public programs.
Proponents claim Proposition 40 would raise about $100 billion from roughly 200 California billionaires. But the California Legislative Analyst’s Office predicts it will be much less because of the uncertainty over the value of taxable assets, who qualifies and the likelihood that some of the state’s wealthiest taxpayers would simply move out of California to avoid paying.
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California voters also should oppose Proposition 40, which creates a one-time fund that does not solve the state’s health problems — escalating costs, facilities closures and millions losing their health insurance. It narrowly funnels tax revenues to limited beneficiaries, at the expense of other critical public programs. And it will do ongoing harm to the state’s economy by driving out some of its wealthiest residents and businesses.
Read the full Bakersfield Californian editorial.
El Popular: Proposition 40: The goal is right; the plan is not. (September 15, 2026)
In its editorial opposing Proposition 40, El Popular notes that the measure fails to provide a long-term solution to our healthcare problems, lacks key safeguards and specificity to ensure funds improve patient care and lower costs, and shortchanges education by intentionally bypassing Proposition 98.
“…Proposition 40 provides a short-term fix to a problem that requires long-term solutions and more transparent discussion. Proposition 40 directs 90 percent of its revenue toward health care spending, but the measure describes a long list of possible health care-related expenditures without requiring that any specific share reach patients directly or lower what families pay for care…A policy raising this much money for health care should be able to show how it improves care and access for the people it claims to serve.”
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Opponents also include the California Medical Association, the California Teachers Association, Planned Parenthood affiliates of California, and organizations representing the state’s firefighters and peace officers. Such different interests and different politics reaching the same conclusion is telling. Proposition 40 asks voters to trust that this drastic short-term measure will serve patients without knowing what happens next, while schools and safety-net programs are left with promises instead of guarantees. That is not a fair trade. Vote No on Proposition 40.