Funding Progress Without Raising Taxes
How to fund transformative programs while lowering taxes on working families and protecting small businesses from punitive taxation.
Tax Fairness, Not Tax Increases
There is a vast difference between taxing working families and small businesses versus ensuring that large multinational corporations pay their fair share. California currently loses billions of dollars annually because highly profitable corporations exploit loopholes unavailable to ordinary taxpayers and small businesses.
Meanwhile, working families face regressive fees, fines, and costs that function as hidden taxes. Our approach corrects this imbalance.
What We Do
- Lower costs for individuals through fee elimination
- Protect small businesses from punitive taxation
- Close loopholes that only benefit multinationals
- Eliminate government waste and inefficiency
What We Don't Do
- Raise income taxes on individuals
- Increase sales tax or property tax
- Burden small businesses with new taxes
- Create new fees for working families
Where the Money Comes From
Four pillars of funding that don't burden working families or small businesses.
Close Corporate Tax Loopholes
The Water's Edge loophole alone costs California $3.1-3.5 billion annually. These loopholes only benefit large multinationals with offshore subsidiaries—not small businesses.
- Water's Edge Election: $3.0-3.5B
- Graduated Corporate Tax: $2.0-4.0B
- Cap Tax Credit Usage: $1.0-2.0B
None—small businesses don't have offshore subsidiaries
Eliminate Government Waste
California's government is rife with waste. Departmental silos obscure spending, outdated systems hide inefficiencies, and fraud festers in a budget so vast it defies comprehension.
- DMV & agency streamlining: $2-4B
- Procurement reform: $1-3B
- Program consolidation: $1-2B
Benefits—more competitive bidding opportunities
Invest to Save
Many programs pay for themselves through reduced emergency costs. Preventive investments in communities reduce long-term costs. Prevention beats treatment.
- Preventive programs: $2-4B
- Early intervention ROI: $1-3B
- Criminal justice reform: $1-2B
Benefits—healthier workforce, safer communities
New Revenue Sources
Legalize and tax activities that are already occurring. California is one of the few large states without legal sports betting.
- Sports betting legalization: $500M-1B
- Cannabis tax optimization: Revenue neutral
- Financial transaction tax (speculation only)
None—targets large-scale speculation
Complete Fiscal Summary
Revenue & Savings Sources
| Source | Conservative | Optimistic |
|---|---|---|
| Close Corporate Loopholes | $6.0B | $9.5B |
| Government Efficiency | $5.0B | $10.0B |
| DMV & Agency Streamlining | $2.0B | $4.0B |
| Criminal Justice Reform | $2.0B | $5.0B |
| Preventive Investment Returns | $2.0B | $5.0B |
| Sports Betting Legalization | $0.5B | $1.0B |
| TOTAL AVAILABLE | $17.5B | $34.5B |
Platform Costs
| Initiative | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Registration Transition | $1-2B |
| Government Accountability Implementation | $0.2-0.5B |
| Corporate Accountability Enforcement | $0.1-0.3B |
| Privacy Protection Implementation | $0.1-0.2B |
| Cash Preservation Enforcement | $0.05-0.1B |
| TOTAL PLATFORM COST | $1.5-3.1B |
Net Result
SURPLUS available for additional tax relief for working families
Small Business Bill of Rights
Our fiscal framework explicitly protects small businesses from punitive taxation.
No Tax Increases
No rate increases for businesses earning under $5 million annually
Simplified Compliance
Reduced paperwork and streamlined reporting requirements
Preserved Credits
All existing small business tax credits and deductions maintained
Fair Competition
Level playing field through elimination of large corporation loopholes
Local Priority
Preference for local businesses in government contracting
Reduced Burden
Streamlined permitting and licensing processes