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BumRushDaShow

(165,874 posts)
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 11:52 AM Wednesday

Google co-founder leaves California amid billionaire wealth tax

Source: Yahoo! Finance

Wed, January 7, 2026 at 6:42 AM EST


Larry Page, the Google co-founder and world’s second-richest person, has reportedly left California amid concerns about a wealth tax on billionaires. Mr Page has moved the registrations of several entities, including his family office and flying car business from California to Delaware, according to filings with the states.

He has also personally moved out of the state ahead of a potential vote on a 5pc wealth tax, according to Business Insider, which first reported the move.

Mr Page, who founded Google in 1998, is the world’s second-richest person with a net worth of $270bn (£200bn). The world’s richest person, Elon Musk, left California for Texas in 2020.

Momentum for a wealth tax to fund healthcare is growing in California. A healthcare union has proposed a referendum on the measure at the same time as November’s mid-term elections, and is currently gathering signatures to have the measure put on the ballot.

Read more: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/google-co-founder-leaves-california-114240388.html

61 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Google co-founder leaves California amid billionaire wealth tax (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Wednesday OP
Na na na na hey hey goodbye! Ritabert Wednesday #1
Well sheshe2 Wednesday #2
All of the privileges of living in the US which helped him get so rich. Irish_Dem Wednesday #3
This won't affect his federal taxes, only his state taxes Jose Garcia Wednesday #13
ha. he probably doesn't pay federal taxes. Irish_Dem Wednesday #15
Probably gets DiverDave Thursday #56
Yep subsidies from the US taxpayer. Irish_Dem Thursday #57
"It worked!" say Californians as they high-five eachother. Scrivener7 Wednesday #4
Now Deleware should implement a billionaire tax. Good riddance, asshole. kysrsoze Wednesday #5
Deleware should charge a wealth tax Puppyjive Wednesday #6
Unlikely Deep State Witch Wednesday #16
Corporate law is one of the major things that needs to be re-done if the US is ever BComplex Wednesday #28
We money spending consumers bake the economic cookies, the rich eat most of them and leave us the crumbs. nt Exp Wednesday #7
A wealth tax to fund healthcare Bayard Wednesday #8
They should charge him a leaving tax Mr. Sparkle Wednesday #9
LOL!! Brilliant!! BComplex Wednesday #29
It's a double edged sword The Grand Illuminist Wednesday #10
It's been working out well in Massachusetts, which actually has more millionaires now TheRickles Wednesday #22
Totally different, not the same at all. Abolishinist Thursday #50
True, but they're both aiming for the same redistributive goals, though via different means. TheRickles Thursday #55
Regadless of when he left, if the wealth tax is approved he will have to pay because it is retroactive to 1/1/25 and in2herbs Wednesday #11
The Constitution specifically prohibits states from passing retroactive laws Jose Garcia Wednesday #14
With regards to criminal laws, yes, but not with regards to civil laws. See below: in2herbs Wednesday #33
Good riddance. Martin68 Wednesday #12
Killing the goose that lays the golden eggs The Mouth Wednesday #17
Check the tax rates under Reagan Easterncedar Wednesday #19
The problem is that the rich can just up and move The Mouth Wednesday #47
That makes corporations sound like they are necessarily benefitting their State in kind. BComplex Wednesday #30
The Laffer Curve was debunked long ago DBoon Wednesday #43
Wealth is mobile The Mouth Wednesday #48
The Laffer Curve proposed that lowering taxes creates overall economic prosperity DBoon Thursday #52
I didn't quote, or refer to the Laffer curve, that was someone else The Mouth Thursday #61
How fucking greedy can you get? Ray Bruns Wednesday #18
These money-hoarders have an addiction to money. MLWR Wednesday #20
I think the oldigarchs addiction to money and power is because they will soon be dead , afraid their power will wane, in2herbs Wednesday #34
Not dead fast enough. diane in sf Wednesday #38
I agree! nt in2herbs Wednesday #39
It is game to the super rich SheLiberal Wednesday #41
Welp Pas-de-Calais Wednesday #21
Oh, boo, hoo, hoo... Pay your damn fair share... electric_blue68 Wednesday #23
Thanks California for helping us become billionaires Smilo Wednesday #24
Hahaha! One more billionaire mansion in Texas they can't sell. Joinfortmill Wednesday #25
Isnt Gavin Newsome against this tax? Callie1979 Wednesday #26
Ballot Analysis of Initiative 2025-024 quaint Wednesday #27
Page moved, but the major companies of Alphabet haven't. CA may be a little tax poorer, but not enough to affect ancianita Wednesday #31
If you sleep on someone's couch and you don't pay rent, you're a moocher. Initech Thursday #58
I hear you. ancianita Thursday #59
Link to text of initiative, California Secretary of State office GJGCA Wednesday #32
The sun in California shines a bit brighter today Sweet Rosie Red Wednesday #35
Bye, Felicia. QueerDuck Wednesday #36
Welp lonely bird Wednesday #37
The greed and selfishness of these people are beyond belief. Mebbe I'm wrong, but I don't think Larry is going to end up Fil1957 Wednesday #40
You don't own California. You don't own the people of this state. DBoon Wednesday #42
Come on! The man's gotta eat. Swede Wednesday #44
Make these assholes pay! They can't keep mooching forever! Initech Wednesday #45
Tech billionaires have contempt for everyone not in their class DBoon Wednesday #46
Page is moving because, after the new tax, he'd ONLY have 256,500,000,000 dollars? LudwigPastorius Thursday #49
Bye RandySF Thursday #51
He SHOULD be shamed as one of the greediest men in the world by every lawmaker and every media outlet. Doodley Thursday #53
Good UpInArms Thursday #54
Instead of a wealth tax.... Happy Hoosier Thursday #60

Irish_Dem

(79,899 posts)
3. All of the privileges of living in the US which helped him get so rich.
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 11:57 AM
Wednesday

He doesn't want to pay his fair share.

DiverDave

(5,217 posts)
56. Probably gets
Thu Jan 8, 2026, 10:27 AM
Thursday

A refund. Loopholes, tax credits...you know, rich guy breaks from his "friends" that woke up one day with a gunny sack of cash on their back porch.

Irish_Dem

(79,899 posts)
57. Yep subsidies from the US taxpayer.
Thu Jan 8, 2026, 11:42 AM
Thursday

The rich socialize their expenses and privatize their profit.

Deep State Witch

(12,576 posts)
16. Unlikely
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 12:29 PM
Wednesday

Delaware pretty much survives on making it easy to incorporate there. While most companies are incorporated there, they mostly rely on registered agents that forward the mail to the actual corporate offices.

Companies incorporate in Delaware for its business-friendly legal system, including a specialized court (Court of Chancery) with expert judges for corporate law, a robust, predictable corporate code (DGCL), and investor preference for this stable environment, plus significant tax advantages like no corporate tax on out-of-state income and strong privacy protections. This ecosystem provides clarity, efficiency, and attracts capital, making it ideal for growth and investment.

I was looking into basing my LLC in Delaware a few years ago for this very purpose. I decided against it, but I still may if we restructure.

BComplex

(9,750 posts)
28. Corporate law is one of the major things that needs to be re-done if the US is ever
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 01:20 PM
Wednesday

going to get our country on the right track.

Exp

(768 posts)
7. We money spending consumers bake the economic cookies, the rich eat most of them and leave us the crumbs. nt
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 12:03 PM
Wednesday

FUCK THEM!

Bayard

(28,626 posts)
8. A wealth tax to fund healthcare
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 12:04 PM
Wednesday

I like the sound of that a lot! Billionaires suck the life out of the rest of us, but don't want to put anything back.

The Grand Illuminist

(1,976 posts)
10. It's a double edged sword
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 12:07 PM
Wednesday

The tax can help California, but if an exodus of some kind happens, it may hurt the state as well.

TheRickles

(3,174 posts)
22. It's been working out well in Massachusetts, which actually has more millionaires now
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 01:07 PM
Wednesday

than when the tax was first implemented. That exodus was the fear, but it hasn't happened. Plus a few billion extra dollars have been deposited into the public coffers.

Abolishinist

(2,888 posts)
50. Totally different, not the same at all.
Thu Jan 8, 2026, 12:53 AM
Thursday

Massachusetts has a 4% surtax on household income above $1 million. The proposal in CA is a tax on wealth.

The highest tax rate in MA before the surtax is 5%, the surtax brings it to 9%. CA is already at 13.3%.

A tax on wealth is not the same as a tax on income.

TheRickles

(3,174 posts)
55. True, but they're both aiming for the same redistributive goals, though via different means.
Thu Jan 8, 2026, 08:02 AM
Thursday

And the fears of exodus that were raised in Massachusetts didn't materialize, which was my point, and prediction - the same might also happen in CA.

in2herbs

(4,243 posts)
11. Regadless of when he left, if the wealth tax is approved he will have to pay because it is retroactive to 1/1/25 and
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 12:10 PM
Wednesday

only effective for one year. So Page's antics are for naught. But it worked getting him out of CA which is something a lot of Californians are happy about.

As for Delaware: their corporate laws are so lax they might as well not exist. It's the reason most banks and other financial institutions register in Delaware.

in2herbs

(4,243 posts)
33. With regards to criminal laws, yes, but not with regards to civil laws. See below:
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 02:05 PM
Wednesday

Retroactive laws aren't inherently unconstitutional, but the U.S. Constitution strictly prohibits certain types, particularly criminal laws that disadvantage a person after the fact (ex post facto laws) and bills of attainder, found in Article I, Section 9. While civil retroactive laws are generally allowed, they must still respect Due Process (Fifth/Fourteenth Amendments) and Contract Clause (Article I, Section 10), ensuring fairness and preventing unforeseen liability for past actions, with retroactive tax laws facing scrutiny for due process and equal protection.

Statutes that retroactively change civil rules (like tax laws or regulations) are permissible but must meet constitutional tests, particularly under the Due Process Clause.

The Mouth

(3,411 posts)
17. Killing the goose that lays the golden eggs
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 12:43 PM
Wednesday

Net result: less tax for the state.

A wealth tax will never work.

Easterncedar

(5,545 posts)
19. Check the tax rates under Reagan
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 12:52 PM
Wednesday

The insane transfer of wealth from the many to the few over the past decades is what is breaking us.

Yes, we need a more equitable federal tax system, but until we get that back again the states can at least try to limit the damage.

The Mouth

(3,411 posts)
47. The problem is that the rich can just up and move
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 07:40 PM
Wednesday

Elon, or Buffett and the like can simply take up residence anywhere for what is a trivial amount for them. There's only a certain point and once you get past that they will just leave.

BComplex

(9,750 posts)
30. That makes corporations sound like they are necessarily benefitting their State in kind.
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 01:25 PM
Wednesday

Not a good assumption.

DBoon

(24,750 posts)
43. The Laffer Curve was debunked long ago
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 05:34 PM
Wednesday

It was part of Reagan's mythology, along with welfare queens

The Mouth

(3,411 posts)
48. Wealth is mobile
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 07:41 PM
Wednesday

If we tax corporations more it's harder for them to just leave. Billionaires and other wealthy individuals can do it for a fraction of their wealth.

DBoon

(24,750 posts)
52. The Laffer Curve proposed that lowering taxes creates overall economic prosperity
Thu Jan 8, 2026, 01:07 AM
Thursday

It has nothing to do with some self centered would-be king deciding to move out of the state.

The Mouth

(3,411 posts)
61. I didn't quote, or refer to the Laffer curve, that was someone else
Thu Jan 8, 2026, 06:51 PM
Thursday

My entire point:
Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. In other words if Sacramento taxes wealth (instead of concentrating on how to tax deferred income via the usual tricks CEO's use) the people they want to harvest money from will just move. I would if I had multiple millions. Not matter how nice California is, living here isn't worth 10 percent, or even 1 percent of my entire wealth every year.

There are things that would be equitable and effective in fiscal policy; taxing WEALTH of billionaires will simply result in less money.

If someone can't see the difference between that, and the back of a napkin theory that by lowering tax rates and a handwave we get more tax money, then that's their problem.

MLWR

(782 posts)
20. These money-hoarders have an addiction to money.
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 12:57 PM
Wednesday

They are parasites and as such, I'm sure they won't be missed in which ever state they leave.

in2herbs

(4,243 posts)
34. I think the oldigarchs addiction to money and power is because they will soon be dead , afraid their power will wane,
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 02:09 PM
Wednesday

and they will be forgotten.

SheLiberal

(80 posts)
41. It is game to the super rich
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 02:54 PM
Wednesday

The winner of the game pays the least in taxes and the entire economy suffers. Thanks for nothing you worthless blood suckers.

electric_blue68

(25,961 posts)
23. Oh, boo, hoo, hoo... Pay your damn fair share...
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 01:13 PM
Wednesday

You'll still have plenty.

Oh, I see, it's not enough.
Well, FU, then.

Smilo

(2,012 posts)
24. Thanks California for helping us become billionaires
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 01:15 PM
Wednesday

now, we have our riches, we will leave you in the dust. /s

These f'g people, they really wouldn't miss this money and it would do so much good for people. I hope all these avaricious cretinous immoral people burn in hell.

ancianita

(42,909 posts)
31. Page moved, but the major companies of Alphabet haven't. CA may be a little tax poorer, but not enough to affect
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 01:38 PM
Wednesday

its healthcare funding and/or a healthcare union. He might be avoiding the upcoming wealth tax possibility but he's also got other interests to pursue outside Google's subsidiaries.

Initech

(107,463 posts)
58. If you sleep on someone's couch and you don't pay rent, you're a moocher.
Thu Jan 8, 2026, 11:45 AM
Thursday

But if you steal billions from tax payers and move to a place where you don't have to pay them, you're a "job creator".

GJGCA

(238 posts)
32. Link to text of initiative, California Secretary of State office
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 01:44 PM
Wednesday
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/initiatives/pdfs/25-0024A1%20%28Billionaire%20Tax%20%29.pdf


on edit: I found the link through the SoS office, but it's actually Office of the Attorney General hosting the PDF

Sweet Rosie Red

(8 posts)
35. The sun in California shines a bit brighter today
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 02:22 PM
Wednesday

The air is sweeter and the birds sing louder! Way to go, California!!!

lonely bird

(2,778 posts)
37. Welp
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 02:26 PM
Wednesday

Freeze his assets, confiscate them, strip him of citizenship, deport his ass to penguin Island.

Fil1957

(546 posts)
40. The greed and selfishness of these people are beyond belief. Mebbe I'm wrong, but I don't think Larry is going to end up
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 02:49 PM
Wednesday

living under a bridge if he stays in California. In fact, were he to stay, it would make no difference in his life or lifestyle at all, other than when he sees that his bank statement is just a tiny bit smaller than it would be otherwise.

He'd rather hang on to every last penny of his billions than chip in to a state that helped him become a multi billionaire.

Stories like this and men like this sometimes make me think there is no hope for the human race.

DBoon

(24,750 posts)
42. You don't own California. You don't own the people of this state.
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 05:31 PM
Wednesday

We are not peasants working on your estate.

DBoon

(24,750 posts)
46. Tech billionaires have contempt for everyone not in their class
Wed Jan 7, 2026, 06:16 PM
Wednesday

Tech billionaires also have contempt for democracy itself. They are outspoken about replacing it with an authoritarian oligarchy.

This tax offends them because it implies they should be subject to laws passed democratically by ordinary citizens. They would prefer to rule over us without restraint.

It's not the small amount they would pay that is at issue - they object to being held the least bit accountable accountable by citizens.

They say so openly and at length. Writings urging the replacement of democracy have been openly published. For example Marc Andreesen's "Techno-Optimist Manifesto" :

...By late 2023, Andreessen, formerly a supporter of the Democratic Party, was said to have grown politically disillusioned with the Biden administration due to the volatility in the technology space for venture capitalists. The new environment was attributed to the imposition of antitrust laws on the tech sector and a renewed push for regulation of cryptocurrency, a sector in which Andreessen Horowitz was deeply invested in as a firm. The added scrutiny given to the tech sector in the wake of the Bankman-Fried scandal was also a contributing factor to Andreessen's newfound thinking. According to The New York Times, Biden's proposed "billionaire minimum income tax" led Andreessen to shift his political alliances to the Trump campaign.[8] In October, Andreessen composed his thoughts and posted the "Techno-Optimist Manifesto" essay online.[13] Dwarkesh Patel, who had previously interviewed Andreessen at the beginning of the year, responded to the manifesto with criticism and counterarguments, leading Andreessen to permanently block Patel on Twitter.
...
The manifesto pays homage to the Manifesto of Futurism (1909) by Italian poet Filippo Tommaso Marinetti (1876–1944), who would go on to co-author the Fascist Manifesto a decade later, which was used to describe the political platform of Benito Mussolini. In one part, Andreessen rewords Marinetti's manifesto[β] in the context of technology, writing "Beauty exists only in struggle. There is no masterpiece that has not an aggressive character. Technology must be a violent assault on the forces of the unknown, to force them to bow before man."[16] Andreessen ends the manifesto with a list of self-declared patron saints of techno-optimism, with Marinetti taking his place alongside philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, the fictional character of John Galt, and the neo-reactionary philosopher Nick Land, among others

- Wikipedia, with my bolding

Someone who openly admires Italians Futurists who were the backbone of Italian Fascism is not someone who will accept what we consider to be democracy, civil liberties, dues process and other traditional American values.

LudwigPastorius

(14,198 posts)
49. Page is moving because, after the new tax, he'd ONLY have 256,500,000,000 dollars?
Thu Jan 8, 2026, 12:40 AM
Thursday

What a piece of shit.

Why don't you fuck off to one of the private islands you own, build your tech-bro utopia, and leave the rest of us the fuck alone?

Doodley

(11,648 posts)
53. He SHOULD be shamed as one of the greediest men in the world by every lawmaker and every media outlet.
Thu Jan 8, 2026, 01:31 AM
Thursday

UpInArms

(54,097 posts)
54. Good
Thu Jan 8, 2026, 02:57 AM
Thursday

He can quit sucking off the California taxpayers for his security

He can quit having the best weather with lovely people

Happy Hoosier

(9,404 posts)
60. Instead of a wealth tax....
Thu Jan 8, 2026, 11:50 AM
Thursday

They should be taxing the value of loans taking against financial assets (not the primary home) as ordinary income. Wealth taxes are messy and are ripe for fraud. Loans taken against assets, however, are unambiguous and MUST be documented. This strategy would signficantly curtail the "Buy, Borrow, Die" strategy employed by many of the ultrawealthy.

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