Incremental Tax

California already taxes successful people at the highest rates in the nation. In the 2009/2010 era, the state almost went bankrupt. It then imposed an incremental tax of 1+% on everyone making over $500,000 a year. That incremental tax was earmarked for specific things, like shoring up union pension obligations, road repairs, and the hiring of more secretaries for public schools.

People grumbled. And the wealthy began to leave the state.

Incremental taxes are met with incremental grumbling from those who have to pay them.