How the people can act when the government won't
- jjcarney100team
- Nov 3
- 1 min read
One of California’s most powerful unions is set to unveil a 2026 state ballot measure to establish the nation’s first wealth tax.
Supported by SEIU’s United Healthcare Workers West, the measure would levy a one-time 5% tax on the wealth of roughly 200 California billionaires to make up for the $100 million hit on California’s Medicaid program mandated by last summer’s passage of the One Big Beautiful bill.
What a wonderful idea! Why can’t we do that in Texas?
Because Texas is one of only eighteen states which do not permit citizen initiatives, popular referenda, or legislative referrals which would bypass the state Legislature and put a referendum on the ballot.
Since 1914 when Texans voted down an amendment to establish a state initiative and referendum process, nothing has changed. Only state lawmakers, not citizens gathering signatures, can put propositions on the ballot, most recently the 17 on the Nov 4 election ballot.
It’s not likely that will change until Democrats retake the Texas House and Senate. Just another reason to go BLUE in the 2026 midterms!
Citizen referendums may be dead but not forgotten in Texas. Democratic state Sens. Nathan Johnson of Dallas and José Menéndez of San Antonio introduced a citizen-led initiative bill. It didn’t get very far, but Johnson said he wanted to put the idea out there.