Steve Hilton proposes California tax cuts and spending reductions

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has proposed a significant tax reform plan for California, which includes making the first $150,000 of income tax-free. To fund this and other initiatives, Hilton introduced ‘Operation Zero Waste,’ a strategy aimed at reducing government spending by targeting fraud, bureaucracy, and specific projects.

Hilton’s proposal includes establishing an 8% flat tax on income exceeding $150,000. To finance these changes, he suggested cutting funding for high-speed rail, reducing the number of bureaucrats by 10%, and implementing reforms to Medi-Cal to combat healthcare fraud. He argued that while the state budget has more than doubled over the last decade, economic outcomes and opportunity rankings have declined.

During a recent campaign forum, Hilton criticized the current one-party rule in California, noting that the state has seen significant population outflows despite increased spending. His Democratic opponent, Xavier Becerra, did not attend the forum.