Tipsheet

Gavin Newsom Refuses to Tell the Truth on California's High Taxes

Amy Curtis
Amy Curtis  |  March 16, 2026 11:00 AM

Just four short months ago, Gavin Newsom was telling us all how he can't stand politicians who lie. That must make existing a terrible misery for Newsom, because few politicians lie with as much alacrity as he does.

His last big lie was blaming President Trump for high gas prices in California while ignoring the policies he supports and the legislation he's signed that jacked up prices at the pump for Californians. Now he's back, this time lying about California's tax rate, claiming Florida and Texas are worse.

"We have the most progressive tax rates in America. Texas, the most regressive. Texas taxes poor folks more than we tax our richest," Newsom said. "The question for you is who is the higher tax state: California or Texas? Who are you for? Are you just for the one percent or are you for the 99? Florida is the other regressive tax state. Your middle class pays more taxes in Texas than our middle class in California."

That's a lie, of course.

And California has a higher poverty rate, too.

Both California and New York are losing population (which is also costing them Congressional seats) while Florida and Texas are seeing large inflows of population.

He's a liar and he lies with ease.

People who live in California know.

California ranks as the fourth-highest state by overall tax burden. Florida and Texas are in the bottom ten.

Then again, Newsom isn't that smart (by his own admission).

Maybe he's also got math dyslexia, too.

Exactly this. It's a no-win situation for Gavin. Either he's lying about taxes (and he is) or California has low taxes but is so poorly run that it doesn't matter to people, who are fleeing to states with competent Republican-led government like Florida and Texas.