FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2024

Proponents Withdraw Initiative to Provide Funding for Pandemic Detection and Prevention by Increasing Tax on Personal Income Over $5 Million

Sacramento, Calif. – Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. announced today that an initiative eligible for the November 5, 2024, General Election ballot has been withdrawn by the proponents.

The Attorney General's official title and summary of the initiative is as follows:

PROVIDES FUNDING FOR PANDEMIC DETECTION AND PREVENTION BY INCREASING TAX ON PERSONAL INCOME OVER $5 MILLION. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND STATUTE. Increases tax on personal income over $5 million by 0.75% for 10 years, and allocates new tax revenues as follows: 50% to the California Institute for Pandemic Prevention (established by this measure), to award grants for research and development of technologies to detect and prevent future pandemics; 25% for public health programs for pandemic preparedness; and 25% for improvements to school facilities to limit disease transmission. Creates Independent Scientific Governing Board to administer the Institute; requires board members have specified medical, technological, or public-health expertise. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased state tax revenues that likely would range from around $500 million to $1.5 billion annually for the ten-year period the new tax would be in effect. Revenues entirely would support activities related to infectious disease control and pandemic prevention. (21-0022A1.) 

Pursuant to Elections Code section 9604(b), proponents may withdraw an initiative at any time before the Secretary of State certifies it as qualified.

The proponents of the measure are Max Henderson and Anna Maybach. They can be reached c/o George M. Yin of the Kaufman Legal Group at (213) 452-6565. The address for the Kaufman Legal Group is 777 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 4050, Los Angeles, CA 90017.

For more information about how an initiative qualifies for the ballot in California, visit https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures/how-qualify-initiative/.