By Kevin Kiley – July 13, 2026
Newsom just signed what the CA Taxpayers Association calls “the largest tax increase in state history.” In a state with the highest taxes already, that’s quite an accomplishment.
The scheme includes a healthcare tax that will increase premiums by hundreds of dollars. This defies the will of our voters, who passed Prop. 35 to limit such tax increases. We’re working on blocking this affront to affordability and democracy (read our letter to Newsom blasting it).
Adding insult to injury, Newsom is also standing in the way of benefits we secured for California families. Last year I fought for $5 billion in education scholarships to use on services like special education, tuition, and tutoring. Newsom is now refusing to let our students access these funds.
Even New York has embraced the program. I’m calling on the Legislature to pass Josh Hoover’s Resolution to reverse Newsom’s disregard for our students. As I noted on Newsmax, we’ve spent more and more on education as the results have gotten worse and worse. It’s never about the kids.
Our opponent, Newsom ally Richard Pan, has pledged to wipe out the scholarships entirely and wants further tax increases for seniors, workers, and parents. That’s one of many reasons the Parents Against Pan petition is over 12,000 signers (read and share the petition here).
And if that weren’t enough, the “wealth tax” ballot proposition has now qualified, threatening to send our state’s finances into a death spiral. My bill, the Keep Jobs in California Act, will stop the bleeding and preempt this unconstitutional scheme.
Finally, we were officially recognized with the Democracy Award for Best of Constituent Service. I’m very proud of our district team and the model we’ve built for answering directly to constituents. That’s what representation is about: of the people, by the people, for the people.
Foil Newsom’s plan. Help me defeat Pan.
Kevin Kiley is a California Congressman
