Why Even Some Democrats Hate California’s Billionaire Tax Proposal

The Daily

04/29/26

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27m

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A landmark proposal for a one-time tax on billionaires in California recently reached a milestone. The labor union backing it said it had collected enough signatures to put the measure on the state’s ballot.

Laurel Rosenhall, who covers California politics for The New York Times, explains how the state arrived at this moment and what it might mean nationwide.

Guest: There are enough signatures to place the California billionaire tax proposal on the state ballot in November, its backers say.

Background reading:

There are enough signatures to place the California billionaire tax proposal on the state ballot in November, its backers say.

Photo: Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

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Previous Episode

Assassination Attempt Suspect Charged

April 28

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24m

What we know about the man in custody after the shooting at the White House correspondents’ dinner, and how the incident unfolded.

The man accused of storming the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner with multiple weapons was charged on Monday with trying to assassinate President Trump.

Devlin Barrett, who covers the Justice Department, explains what we know about the suspect, his plan to target the president and whether the incident should be seen as a security failure or success.

Guest: Devlin Barrett, a New York Times reporter covering the Justice Department and the F.B.I.

Background reading:

‘Shots Fired!’: Inside the pandemonium at the Washington Hilton.
Charges against the assassination attempt suspect were based on a shotgun shell and a screed.
Experts said the security at the White House correspondents’ dinner worked as intended.

Photo: Salwan Georges for The New York Times

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

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Next Episode

A Landmark Supreme Court Ruling on Voting Rights

April 30

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29m

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court dealt what may be a final blow to the landmark Voting Rights Act when it struck down Louisiana’s voting map as unconstitutional.

Adam Liptak explains the legal logic of the ruling, and Nick Corasaniti talks about how the decision will reshape American democracy.

Guest:

Adam Liptak, the chief legal affairs correspondent of The New York Times and the host of The Docket, a newsletter on legal developments.
Nick Corasaniti, a New York Times reporter covering national politics, with a focus on voting and elections.

Background reading: