Steve Hilton: California’s economic disaster revealed, high taxes drive wealth out of state, and a flat tax could simplify the system | All-In Podcast

California's high taxes and misallocated funds threaten its economy, prompting calls for sweeping tax reforms.

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Add us on Google by Editorial Team Apr. 29, 2026

Key takeaways

• California faces severe economic challenges despite being the fourth largest economy globally.
• Over a third of Californians struggle to meet basic needs, highlighting significant poverty levels.
• The state’s tax structure disproportionately impacts low-income workers with high effective tax rates.
• High taxes in California are driving wealth and investment out of the state, negatively affecting the business climate.
• Simplifying the tax system with a flat tax could reduce bureaucratic costs and complexity.
• Current government spending levels in California are unsustainable and require reduction.
• The state controller has legal authority to audit and stop improper spending, crucial for fiscal accountability.
• Significant funds allocated for climate change mitigation have been misappropriated.
• Cannabis tax revenue intended for substance abuse prevention has been diverted to nonprofit activism.
• There is potential for bipartisan consensus on tax reforms in California.
• Tax policy reform could lead to improved economic conditions and business climate in the state.
• Effective oversight and accountability are essential in managing state finances and preventing fraud.
• Misallocation of government funds raises concerns about transparency and accountability.
• A flat tax proposal could address issues of inequality in California’s tax system.
• Collaboration across party lines is seen as a viable strategy for implementing tax reforms.

Guest intro

Steve Hilton is a Republican candidate for California Governor. He previously served as director of strategy for British Prime Minister David Cameron from 2010 to 2012 and hosted The Next Revolution on Fox News from 2017 to 2023. Through his nonprofit Golden Together, he has proposed reforms to California’s housing crisis, including a ballot initiative to limit CEQA lawsuits and cap developer impact fees.

California’s economic challenges

• California’s economic situation is dire despite being the fourth largest economy in the world.

  — Steve Hilton

• The state has the highest unemployment and poverty rates in the US, tied with Louisiana.
• Over a third of Californians cannot afford basic needs, underscoring severe poverty issues.

• They found that over a third of Californians cannot afford to meet basic needs.

  — Steve Hilton

• Economic indicators reveal a contradiction between California’s perceived strength and actual challenges.
• Understanding these economic challenges is crucial for addressing the state’s fiscal issues.
• The state’s economic struggles impact residents’ living conditions significantly.

• If you look at what’s going on in California today just big picture obviously you can look at the data that’s a real economic disaster.

  — Steve Hilton

Tax structure and its impact

• California’s tax structure disproportionately affects low-income workers.
• People earning $70,000-$90,000 pay a 9.3% state income tax, higher than most states’ top rates.

• You’ve got people earning $70 $80 $90 in California… paying 9.3% state income tax that rate is higher than the top rate in most states in America.

  — Steve Hilton

• The high effective tax rate contributes to economic inequality in the state.
• California’s business climate is negatively impacted by high taxes.

• Chief Executive magazine ranks us… fiftieth out of 50 for business climate… a big driver of that is tax.

  — Steve Hilton

• High taxes drive wealth and investment out of California.
• Understanding tax policy’s impact on economic performance is crucial for reform.

Proposal for a flat tax

• A flat tax could simplify California’s tax system and reduce bureaucratic costs.

• The complexity is ridiculous of our tax system these endless different rates is ridiculously complicated.

  — Steve Hilton

• Current tax system complexity adds unnecessary costs and hassle.
• A flat tax presents a clear alternative solution to current tax inefficiencies.
• Simplifying the tax system could address issues of economic inequality.

• That’s why I think a flat tax makes sense.

  — Steve Hilton

• Reducing tax complexity could improve economic conditions in California.
• The proposal reflects a strategic approach to addressing fiscal challenges.

Government spending and accountability

• Current government spending levels in California are unsustainable.

• We’ve gotta get back to a more reasonable growth in spending.

  — Steve Hilton

• Unsustainable spending leads to deficits even in non-recession times.
• The state controller has the power to audit and stop improper spending.

• The state controller is an elected position has the legal power to audit any organization receiving state money.

  — Steve Hilton

• Effective oversight is crucial for fiscal accountability and preventing fraud.
• The role of the state controller is essential in managing state finances.
• Addressing spending habits is necessary for fiscal responsibility and reform.

Misallocation of climate change funds

• Significant funds for climate change mitigation have been misappropriated.

• We actually tracked that money… the actual amount spent on solar panel installation was $72,000,000.

  — Steve Hilton

• $928,000,000 went to nonprofits for activities unrelated to climate change.
• Misallocation highlights a disparity between intended and actual use of funds.
• Understanding the context of climate change funding is crucial for accountability.
• The role of nonprofits in fund allocation raises concerns about transparency.
• This issue reflects broader challenges in government spending and oversight.
• Addressing misallocation is necessary for effective climate change initiatives.

Cannabis tax revenue diversion

• Funds from cannabis tax meant for substance abuse prevention have been diverted.

• We found $350,000,000 that was supposed to be spent on substance abuse prevention.

  — Steve Hilton

• Revenue has been redirected to nonprofit activism instead of public health initiatives.
• This pattern of misallocation raises concerns about accountability in government spending.
• Proposition 64 intended cannabis tax revenue for specific public health purposes.
• Understanding the intended use of cannabis tax revenue is crucial for reform.
• Effective oversight is necessary to ensure funds are used as intended.
• Addressing this issue is important for maintaining public trust in government initiatives.

Potential for bipartisan tax reform

• There is a possibility of bipartisan consensus on tax reforms in California.

• I think that actually we’ll get a we there there’s a possibility of a consensus around some of these items.

  — Steve Hilton

• Collaboration across party lines is seen as a viable strategy for reform.
• Understanding the political landscape is crucial for implementing tax reforms.
• Bipartisan efforts could lead to improved economic conditions in the state.
• Hilton’s strategic approach reflects a belief in the potential for collaboration.
• Tax policy reform could address economic inequality and improve the business climate.
• Effective collaboration is necessary for successful governance and reform initiatives.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.