Billionaire tax launches civil war as powerful union breaks with progressives

nypost.com

California’s billionaire tax is now splitting Big Labor.

Chris Hannan, president of the powerful State Building and Construction Trades Council, slammed the proposal in an interview with Politico, saying it could end up crushing big projects like sports arenas and other large-scale developments that employ skilled tradesmen up and down the state.

“It’s not because we feel that anyone shouldn’t have to pay their fair share, but doing a retroactive tax, we believe, would drive people out of the state and drive investment out of the state,” Hannan told the outlet.

The comments on the proposed billionaire tax mark a notable split in California’s influential organized labor scene.

Chris Hannan speaking at a podium.

Chris Hannan, president of the powerful State Building and Construction Trades Council. LA OC Building Trades

The measure — titled the “Healthcare Executive Compensation Act” and backed by SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West — would impose a one-time 5% tax on Californians with fortunes exceeding $1 billion.

Backers of the tax claim it’s needed in light of federal funding cuts to Medi-Cal and other health care programs.

At least six billionaires, including Google co-founder Larry Page and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, reportedly cut ties with California before the start of this year to avoid the potential tax.

David Lesperance, a tax adviser who specializes in relocating ultra-wealthy clients out of high-tax jurisdictions, told Bloomberg he personally helped four billionaires end their California residency before the proposal’s Jan. 1 cutoff date.

California Governor Gavin Newsom walks through the halls of the U.S. Capitol.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has opposed the billionaire tax. Anadolu via Getty Images

If the wealth tax passes, “what we believe would happen is these individuals would leave California and would take these investments to other states — losing the jobs for our members, losing tax revenue that goes into the general fund,” Hannan said.

Politico first reported the building trades’ opposition and comments from Chris Hannan, president of the powerful statewide union, who warned the proposal could chase away the same billionaire investors who help finance major projects that keep his members working.

Dave Regan speaking at a podium.

Dave Reagan, head of the SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West Bargaining2021

A recent survey by the Public Policy Institute of California said 54% of likely voters agree with the tax. Democrats were more likely to vote yes on the tax at 76%, while Republicans were largely opposed with 82% against the measure. Independents were mostly split with 53% in favor of the tax.

Support was stronger in urban areas like Los Angeles than in the Central Valley, where 56% of likely voters said they would vote ‘no.’

Sergey Brin attends the 2026 Met Gala, wearing a black blazer with blue embellishments and a blue tie.

Google co-founder Sergey Brin. Getty Images

Dave Regan, the head of the SEIU-UHW since 2011, is considered the architect behind the billionaires tax. He has a reputation for pushing statewide ballot measures as political leverage — and even Gov. Gavin Newsom expressed frustration with his tactics last year.

Newsom has repeatedly said he is opposed to the billionaires’ tax, warning that state-imposed wealth taxes can be difficult to enforce and vulnerable to legal challenges.

Peter Thiel looking at the camera.

Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel has moved assets out of California. Getty Images

“This will be defeated — there’s no question in my mind,” Newsom told the New York Times. “I’ll do what I have to do to protect the state.”

Newsom’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on what steps he has taken to follow through on his pledge.