Ro Khanna blasts hypocrisy of Gavin Newsom supporting a national billionaire tax

California Gov.Gavin Newsom’s endorsement of a national billionaire tax is being mocked by his own party who support a one-time state version of the tax, including Congressman Ro Khanna.Khanna, speaking to reporters Friday, teared into Newsom for his “flip-flopping” in touting his national tax idea while opposing the state version, which will go before voters to decide on a one-time 5% tax.“You can’t hypothetically say I support policies on a national level while ducking the fight in your own state, which is defining for the entire nation, and saying, ‘Well, I don’t want to upset the billionaires in my state, so I’m just going to punt this and say, hypothetically, we can solve something at a federal level,” Khanna said.Newsom opposes the state tax proposal due to fears that California’s economy would be hurt in the long run after wealthy individuals flee to other states.

He said Friday that “the fight to make the wealthiest Americans pay more in taxes is not one we should be fighting state by state.”After failing a Thursday deadline to negotiate that tax from appearing on the ballot, the governor instead came out with a national idea that would “democratize” the economy.Newsom’s national policy proposal is significant given he is widely expected to run for U.S.president in 2028.

So is Khanna, whose clash with Newsom over the tax and other issues could preview a future Democratic primary showdown.Dave Regan, president of the SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, the union behind the state proposal, said in the appearance alongside Khanna that Newsom and others are wrong that there will be “capital flight” from the state tax.Khanna, who has been trying to stake out a progressive lane in any potential buildup to a presidential bid, insisted Newsom’s announcement is misleading “propaganda.”“The proposal with respect to what Governor Newsom has proposed federally is not a wealth tax,” Khanna said.“Taxing the loans on assets...