Split Rulings on Tax Referenda in Mass., Calif.: States of Play

June 18, 2026, 6:31 PM UTC

Split Rulings on Voter Tax Initiatives

Voters in Massachusetts won’t get to vote on cutting their income taxes, but Californians are closer to being able to vote to impose a special tax on billionaires.

Massachusetts’ top court decided a referendum on cutting the state’s income tax rate from 5% to 4% over three years had potentially confusing wording in violation of the state constitution. A coalition of union leaders and community activists challenged the measure, arguing the cut would have damaging consequences for the state budget and disproportionately benefit the wealthiest taxpayers, Daniel Moore reports.

In California, Secretary of ...

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