California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton announced a new tax plan on X that would make the first $150,000 of earnings tax-free. He posted it in response to the latest tax increases passed in Sacramento. The announcement is already getting a lot of attention online, with people arguing over its impact on state revenue and relief for residents.
Steve Hilton, who identifies as a candidate for governor of California, posted a video and accompanying text on the platform X. In the post, he criticized recent tax increases in Sacramento, which he linked to what he called Xavier Becerra’s influence, and announced a new state tax plan.
The video shows Steve Hilton speaking at a podium in front of a large chart and a group of workers. He says, “Something outrageous just happened in Sacramento. The corrupt system that Xavier Becerra is part of and supports just increased taxes again.” He notes that taxes went up even though California already has the highest cost of living in the country.
Hilton then explains that the simplest and most direct way to put more money in people’s pockets is to take less money out in the first place, adding “Government Should Take Less of Your Money,” and that this is what his California tax plan is all about. He announces that the first $150,000 of income would be tax-free under his proposal, with further details provided in an image and a linked policy document that references a flat tax rate above that threshold and states that nine million Californians would no longer pay state income tax.
How Californians Are Responding to Hilton’s Tax Plan
Some users supported broader tax reductions, with one writing, “Property Taxes need to be eliminated. Politicians take $100 billion of our money each year just for us to live in our own homes. That’s crazy. That money belongs to us, not you.”
Others questioned the approach, including a commenter who stated, “No, the best way to fight deficits is to stop cutting taxes; sick folks go to the hospital if they’re broke, cutting taxes is just welfare to the 1%.”
Practical concerns appeared as well, with one asking, “Assuming you could get this past the corrupt state legislature, how would you make up for the loss of ~$50 billion in tax revenue?”
Additional comments questioned Hilton’s background and motives, with one writing, “And yet you’re paying yourself $400k a year as a consultant for your own ‘Golden Together’ NGO. The call is coming from inside the 22 million dollar Atherton, California, Compound.”
Another added, “When people who never held or at least for a long time, a job outside government, believe in an endless supply of other people’s money that can be used to buy votes and increase envy and division.”
Steve Hilton’s announcement is adding to the bigger debate over taxes and the cost of living in California as the governor’s race heats up. People are still talking about his proposal online, weighing the potential benefits against the challenges.
