GOP Lawmaker Proposes Measure to Block California Wealth Tax

Rep. Kevin Kiley's 'Keep Jobs in California Act' aims to prohibit states from taxing former residents' assets.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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As California progressives push for a new tax on billionaires, Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley is introducing federal legislation to block states from levying taxes retroactively on individuals who no longer live there. Kiley's 'Keep Jobs in California Act of 2026' is a response to reports that some of the state's wealthiest residents, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, are planning to leave California ahead of the proposed wealth tax.

Why it matters

The debate over California's approach to taxing the ultra-wealthy has created divisions among Democrats and placed Los Angeles at the center of a broader political fight. Kiley's proposal adds another layer to this contentious issue, as he argues the wealth tax could cause the state's economy to collapse by driving out top earners.

The details

Kiley's proposed 'Keep Jobs in California Act of 2026' would prohibit any state from levying taxes retroactively on individuals who no longer live there. He says this is in reaction to reports that several of California's prominent billionaires are planning to leave the state in anticipation of the wealth tax being enacted. Kiley argues it would be 'fundamentally unfair' to retroactively impose taxes on former residents.

  • Kiley plans to introduce the legislation on Friday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Rep. Kevin Kiley

A Republican congressman from California's 5th Congressional District who is facing a tough re-election challenge under the state's redrawn congressional maps.

Mark Zuckerberg

The CEO of Meta (Facebook's parent company), who is reportedly planning to leave California ahead of the proposed wealth tax.

Larry Page

The co-founder of Google, who is also reportedly planning to leave California ahead of the proposed wealth tax.

Sergey Brin

The co-founder of Google, who is reportedly donating $20 million to a California political drive to prevent the wealth tax from becoming law.

Peter Thiel

The co-founder of PayPal and the chairman of Palantir, who has also donated millions to a committee working to defeat the proposed California wealth tax measure.

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What they’re saying

“California's proposed wealth tax is an unprecedented attempt to chase down people who have already left as a result of the state's poor policies. Many of our state's leading job creators are leaving preemptively.”

— Rep. Kevin Kiley (latimes.com)

“It should be common sense that the billionaires pay just slightly more so that entire communities can preserve access to life-saving medical care. Our country needs access to hospitals and emergency rooms, not more tax breaks for billionaires.”

— Bernie Sanders (latimes.com)

What’s next

The fate of Kiley's 'Keep Jobs in California Act of 2026' proposal is uncertain, as is his own future in Congress with the redrawn district boundaries. The Billionaire Tax Act, which would charge California's billionaires a one-time 5% tax on their net worth, is still working to get on the November 2026 ballot.

The takeaway

The debate over California's proposed wealth tax has become a high-stakes political battle, with Republicans like Kiley pushing back against the measure and Democrats like Sanders supporting it. The outcome could have major implications for the state's economy and its ability to fund critical public services.