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Alupis | 4 days ago

The Page Family operates a number of philanthropic initiatives, non-profits, and other companies outside of Alphabet. All of which pay taxes, provide jobs, and benefits to Californians.

It's short-sighted to think Page doesn't pay taxes nor contribute to California in significant, meaningful ways.

California just traded what was supposed to be a one-time (lol) tax on total net worth - not liquid assets or even income - for generations of extracting value from the Page family.

I get it's fashionable to hate on billionaires right now - but this is just plainly terrible government policy. California should be encouraging people like Page to move here - not push them away.

It's also short-sighted to assume Google will remain in Mountain View just because it's there today. What makes SV so special today that Boston, Austin, Denver, Orlando, etc don't offer? What about the "Next Google"? Will it's founders even start a business in California?

That's what we should be concerned about - create a climate where it's not even a question where to build your company; California should be the obvious right answer.

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lapcat|4 days ago

> philanthropic initiatives, non-profits

> All of which pay taxes

I think not.

> It's short-sighted to think Page doesn't pay taxes nor contribute to California in significant, meaningful ways.

Provide documentation and numbers, otherwise this alleged "significant" contribution is just hand-waving.

> generations of extracting value from the Page family

If Larry can just up and leave now, on very short notice, then there's absolutely zero guarantee of any future "generations" of value.

> I get it's fashionable to hate on billionaires right now

Fashionable? Why do you think it's fashionable now? For no reason?

> California should be encouraging people like Page to move here

It's a total perversion of the fundamental idea of capitalism that governments are competing for companies and wealthy people. That's not how capitalist competition is supposed to work.

> What about the "Next Google"? Will it's founders even start a business in California?

Larry and Sergey met at Stanford as students. They didn't choose a state because of tax policy.

Let me offer a public benefit to driving away the billionaires who refuse to pay higher taxes: less local spending on politicians, i.e., corruption.

kcplate|3 days ago

> Provide documentation and numbers, otherwise this alleged "significant" contribution is just hand-waving.

Last I heard Google employs around 70k people just in California and that has its genesis in Page and Brin inventing something. Thats pretty damn significant. Those people pay taxes, give to charities, etc…

> It's a total perversion of the fundamental idea of capitalism that governments are competing for companies and wealthy people. That's not how capitalist competition is supposed to work.

Exactly what authority or controlling doctrine are you appealing to here? Of course regional governments are going to try and attract local investment.

selridge|4 days ago

I hope he sees this, bro.