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The only map you need to see as California’s billionaire tax fight heats up

The only map you need to see as California’s billionaire tax fight heats up

California voters are set to decide whether to slap a new tax on the state’s billionaires as IRS data show thousands of taxpayers, and billions of dollars in income, are already flowing out of the Golden State. The outflow is adding fuel to the debate over California’s proposed billionaire tax, with Mark Cuban warning Saturday the measure could drive not only wealthy residents but investment and startups out of the state. Cuban’s warning came amid a heated back-and-forth with Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, who has defended the proposed tax. The billionaire investor threatened to steer future investments away from California if the measure moves forward. The clash comes as California is already experiencing significant taxpayer outflows, according to the latest IRS data compiled from federal tax returns. AMERICA’S TOP DESTINATION FOR NEW TAXPAYERS IS QUIETLY GETTING POORER, IRS DATA REVEALS Los Angeles County, home to Hollywood and one of the nation’s largest economic engines, led the nation in taxpayer losses, with a net 17,496 tax filers leaving for other states. Those departing taxpayers took nearly $1.9 billion in income with them. Other California counties also saw significant outflows. Orange County recorded a net loss of 11,618 tax filers, followed by San Diego County with 9,401, Riverside County with 8,968 and San Bernardino County with 8,462. The movement of taxpayers and their income can affect state and local tax collections that help fund schools, public safety and infrastructure. AMERICANS KEEP MOVING TO TEXAS AND FLORIDA — BUT ONE OTHER RED STATE IS GROWING EVEN FASTER Against that backdrop, California’s proposed billionaire tax has become a flashpoint in the debate over whether the state’s tax policies could push more wealth and investment elsewhere. The proposed ballot initiative, backed by the Service Employees International Union, would impose a one-time 5% wealth tax on Californians with a net worth exceeding $1 billion. The measure, which has qualified for the November ballot, would apply retroactively to Californians who were residents as of Jan. 1, 2026. Supporters argue the tax would generate billions of dollars for healthcare and education, while critics warn it could drive wealth and investment out of California. Cuban has gone further, arguing the measure could influence not only where billionaires live, but where investors put their money and startups do business. AN OVERLOOKED RED STATE QUIETLY BUILT ONE OF AMERICA’S MOST COMPETITIVE TAX SYSTEMS “If this passes, and it doesn’t directly impact me at all, I won’t be a Cali resident, but you can bet if I’m investing in a multi billion dollar startup, I’m asking them to move from California first,” Cuban wrote. GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE He went even further, adding, “IMO, if this passes, only idiot startup founders stay in Cali.”

Hasan Piker torched over playbook to dodge his past controversies: ‘Bats— crazy’

Hasan Piker torched over playbook to dodge his past controversies: ‘Bats— crazy’

Shannon Watts, a Democratic political operative and gun control activist, torched a rising progressive kingmaker on Friday, accusing him of trying to brush off his past controversial comments online. In her view, Hasan Piker, a far-left streamer, used the same playbook to downplay his unhinged claims after facing backlash on social media. “Hasan Piker defense Bingo card: ‘It’s a joke, satire, hyperbole. It’s out of context. It was years ago,’” Watts said in her post. “’English is my second language. I stream for hours. Bad faith clipping. Smear campaign. Critics are being paid for Israel.’” HASAN PIKER NAMES PRO-CCP TYCOON SINGHAM AS FINANCIER OF ‘POLITICAL MOVEMENTS’ DESPITE NONPROFIT VENEER It didn’t take long for Piker to fire back — even as he admitted the pattern. “All of that is true and valid. You behave as a GOP operative. You’re a shameless grifter who doesn’t care about the Dem Senate majority or punishing Trump,” Piker wrote. “And you are a copycat of MAGA tactics engaging in alternative facts,” Fred Guttenberg, a Democratic activist whose daughter was murdered in the Parkland shooting, fired back. “As a Jewish person whose daughter was murdered in the Parkland shooting and whose brother died because of 9/11, your attack on Shannon is batsh– crazy and your comparison of the NRA and AIPAC only confirms your insanity.  “Using your MAGA styled attacks against someone like Shannon or me won’t work. Stop being a copycat,” he continued. Watts’ online clash with Piker showcases the concern some Democrats have shown over comments, posts and videos that have resurfaced among progressives. For example, concerns about former Senate candidate Graham Platner started as eyebrow-raising Reddit posts ballooned into sexual assault allegations.  Michigan’s Senate Democratic nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, came under fire for past calls to defund the police. Watts’ spat with Piker puts a question mark on whether the party’s banner carriers should shoulder more responsibility for their past rhetoric. Watts, who has dedicated the last 14 years to gun control advocacy, has boldly argued in recent months that Democrats are turning a blind eye to the online histories of some of their candidates at the expense of their electability and trustworthiness. Although he himself is not running for office, Piker has drawn scrutiny for a long list of controversial remarks, especially as he acts as a surrogate for El-Sayed and other progressive candidates. SANDERS SAYS PLATNER HAS THE ‘GUTS’ TO FIGHT BILLIONAIRES DESPITE GROWING SCANDAL PILEUP In 2019, Piker famously said that “America deserved 9/11,” arguing later that the U.S. had “brought it on itself.” He would later walk it back and call it “inappropriate” after massive backlash online. Once, when asked if he supported terrorism, Piker answered by saying, “No, I don’t. I don’t support the state of Israel, and I don’t support the state of the United States of America.” Piker’s clash with Watts began when some of those past comments cost him on Thursday after the University of Washington said it had decided to cancel an upcoming event with him, citing his rhetoric on Israel. In response, Piker took to X, arguing that Democrats should stand up for First Amendment principles. “We must fight back against the undemocratic & unamerican forces of Trumpism, which means protecting free speech and due process, two fundamental rights Trump is actively seeking to destroy at this moment!” Piker wrote. The comment prompted a retort from Watts, noting that Piker has a seemingly uneven track record of calling for the defense of rights. She recalled an instance where Piker had encouraged President Donald Trump to “lock up” a longtime Dem nemesis. “When Trump threatened to arrest Adam Schiff for being his political enemy, Hasan Piker said: ‘Oh my God, I hope they arrest him. Oh my God, I hope he goes to prison. Yeah, this is political. Sure. I don’t care. Lock him up. Lock him up,’” Watts reminded audiences. Piker has repeatedly criticized Schiff for receiving contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and for, in his view, not doing enough to push back against U.S. ties to Israel. HASAN PIKER CALLS FOR DEMOCRATS WHO OPPOSE ABDUL EL-SAYED TO BE ‘PUNISHED’ In 2019, Piker told Schiff to “suck my entire d—” while bashing the senator for hosting a fundraiser hosted by Raytheon, a prominent U.S. defense contractor. Piker, faced with his own past words, said his remarks about Schiff had been a joke. “I voted for him. This is a joke, you dumb—,” Piker responded to Watts. A Democratic commentator fired back at Piker’s comment, asking, “How is it a joke? You just gonna say that for every single thing you’ve said? You are very clearly serious in this video.” Representatives for Piker did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital on whether the party’s base was placing enough emphasis on past online comments, or at what point online rhetoric should be disqualifying for political candidates.

Swing-state’s fraud reckoning raises Minnesota-style alarm as wild schemes exposed

Swing-state’s fraud reckoning raises Minnesota-style alarm as wild schemes exposed

The DOJ’s expanded anti-fraud task force made its first sweeping bust of Medicaid scofflaws in Pennsylvania this month, drawing comparisons to the massive fraud scandals that rocked Minnesota — but with one major difference. Republicans and Democrats in the state united in outrage after nearly two dozen people were charged in Philadelphia and elsewhere. The DOJ noted Pennsylvania spends $8 billion on Medicaid home-care services, more than almost any other state, and those services were the target of the busts. “The allegations are really disturbing just as they are in Minnesota and other places where we’ve seen this,” House Ways and Means Committee member Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa., told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview. PENNSYLVANIA AG EXPLAINS WHY STATE LEADS NATION IN MEDICAID FRAUD CONVICTIONS WHILE OTHERS BATTLE MASS SCHEMES “It’s criminal activity that is taking money from individuals who really need it. And this is Medicaid — It’s not Medicare, which is more for seniors. But this is for people who truly need help, who are disabled — these are individuals who are relying on Medicaid to help them get through every day. And these are criminals who are taking that money and lining their pockets with it,” said Smucker, whose Lancaster-area district has an older population and has anywhere from two in 10 to four in 10 constituents enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid or both, according to reports. The DOJ’s anti-fraud chief echoed those sentiments while describing some of the most egregious cases among the 19 Pennsylvania defendants charged as of last week. One suspect billed Medicaid for services that supposedly occurred while police had pulled him over for a moving violation and charged him on suspicion of marijuana possession, according to the DOJ. Another suspect billed Medicaid for services during a period when he was in court watching a family member get sentenced for Medicaid fraud-related offenses, according to Colin McDonald. I’M OHIO’S STATE AUDITOR — MEDICAID FRAUD IS NOT JUST A WASHINGTON PROBLEM Another suspect billed Medicaid for home-care services that McDonald said were supposedly provided while the suspect was driving for a rideshare company. Another billed for services while in prison, according to McDonald. Smucker said Pennsylvania welcomes fellow Keystone Stater and CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz and his investigators, adding that he is grateful state officials in Harrisburg are also taking note. That cooperation sets the Pennsylvania busts apart from those in Minnesota, where Gov. Tim Walz has faced accusations of inaction over what has become a multibillion-dollar scandal. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signaled cooperation and collaboration with Republicans in going after Medicaid fraudsters in remarks his office made to Fox News Digital. TIM WALZ BECOMES GOP PUNCHLINE IN SWEEPING NEW WAR ON WELFARE FRAUD Shapiro, a Democrat and the commonwealth’s former attorney general, prosecuted public assistance-related crimes and now governs the state with the nation’s highest number of criminal convictions for Medicaid fraud. The governor — who was considered a runner-up to Walz in then-Vice President Kamala Harris’ search for a running mate — said the commonwealth is a “national leader in stopping fraud.” “Here in Pennsylvania, we combat fraud wherever we find it. In 2024, we charged 119 cases of Medicaid fraud — recovering more than $11 million for taxpayers,” Shapiro said in a recent statement. “Governor Shapiro has made fighting public assistance fraud a cornerstone of his career in public service, rooting out waste, fraud and abuse as attorney general where he cracked down on fraud and public assistance benefit theft, charging dozens of people who stole millions in taxpayer dollars,” Shapiro spokeswoman Rosie Lapowsky told Fox News Digital. READ: DR. OZ PUTS ALL 50 GOVERNORS ON NOTICE OVER BILLIONS LOST TO MEDICAID FRAUD Lapowsky said the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) brought one of the cases referenced by McDonald to the Justice Department for further investigation during Shapiro’s tenure. “[That is] clearly showing our system works,” she said, adding that Pennsylvania’s high number of home-care service providers is not by itself an indicator of fraud. Conservative critics in Minnesota and Washington state have pointed to similar provider numbers to raise suspicions about fraudulent activity. Pennsylvania — the fifth-most populous state, behind California, Texas, Florida and New York — has seen a 20% increase since 2018 in the number of adults in home-care programs, according to DHS. DHS said it employs “ongoing monitoring,” including an electronic visit-verification system, to ensure proper billing and curtail fraud. The department refers potential fraud cases to Republican Pennsylvania Attorney General David Sunday’s office. WATCH: DR. OZ SAYS NEWSOM, OTHER BLUE STATES HAVE TURNED MEDICAID FRAUD INTO A ‘FEATURE’ “This criminal conduct is much more than someone ‘working the system’ — the impact is deep and wide-ranging, as every dollar diverted deprives someone in need of care,” Sunday said in a statement. “In collaboration with our partners, my office last year convicted more than 100 defendants, and clawed back more than $40 million that was intended for Pennsylvanians in need.” In 2025, Sunday’s office handled 744 referrals from DHS alone, according to Harrisburg sources. Smucker said all stakeholders must continue being vigilant for both Medicaid and Medicare-related fraud. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER “People like the four seasons here,” he said, referring to the high number of retirees who call Amish country home. “But we have a lot of people who are relying on these programs… and we have seen fraud across the system in federal programs. This is probably hundreds of billions per year that is being siphoned-off from taxpayer dollars,” he said. Pennsylvania officials say investigators continue to make progress fighting Medicaid fraud. “We are coming for you,” said former Pittsburgh U.S. Attorney Scott Brady, whom President Donald Trump tapped to lead the White House’s nationwide anti-fraud task force The DOJ’s “Northeast Strike Force” was originally organized in Brooklyn and Newark before expanding into Pennsylvania as part of the broader crackdown. “Our message is clear: if you are a medical provider who chooses greed over your professional responsibility, DEA will hold