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AlignAlgo Vote · Explainers · Prop 3

California · November 3, 2026 · Initiative Constitutional Amendment

Proposition 3: Provides Permanent Funding for Schools and Health Care by Extending Existing Tax on High Incomes.

Makes permanent the existing voter-approved tax rates on high-income Californians (currently set to expire in 2031), dedicating the revenue to schools and health care.

The official ballot language

PROVIDES PERMANENT FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS AND HEALTH CARE BY EXTENDING EXISTING TAX ON HIGH INCOMES. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Makes permanent existing voter-approved tax rates for individuals earning over $371,000 (adjusted annually for inflation). Allocates tax revenues to public education.

• Makes permanent the existing 2012 voter-approved tax rates for high-income Californians, currently set to expire in 2031. • Rates apply to income over about $371,000 for single filers, $742,000 for joint filers, and $505,000 for heads of household (2025 levels; adjusted annually for inflation). • Allocates tax revenues 89% to K-12 schools, 11% to community colleges. • Allows local school boards to decide how revenues are spent; bars use for administrative costs. • Increases General Fund revenues available for health care, budget reserves, and other programs. Summary of Legislative Analyst's Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact: • Maintains $5 billion to $15 billion of annual state income tax revenue by making a temporary tax increase on high-income earners permanent instead of letting it expire in 2031.

Source: California Secretary of State

What your vote does

A YES vote

A "yes" vote supports amending the state constitution to indefinitely extend the top marginal tax rates (10.3% to 12.3%) set to expire in 2031 on single filers earning at least $361,000 or joint filers earning at least $721,000, with 89% of revenue to K-12 schools and 11% to community colleges.

A NO vote

A "no" vote opposes amending the state constitution to indefinitely extend the top marginal tax rates on single filers earning at least $361,000 or joint filers earning at least $721,000, thereby allowing them to expire in 2031.

Source: Ballotpedia

What's actually in it — provision by provision

Propositions bundle things together. Here is every operative provision, separately:

  1. Permanently extends the 10.3% to 12.3% income tax rates on high earners (income over roughly $360,000 single / $721,000 joint filers), instead of letting them expire in 2031.

    Basis: Ballotpedia: indefinitely extends top marginal rates of 10.3% to 12.3% on higher incomes; without it, all three brackets would fall to 9.3% after 2031.

  2. Dedicates 89% of the revenue to K-12 schools and 11% to community colleges; excess revenue (up to $2 billion per year) can fund health care programs.

    Basis: Ballotpedia: allocates 89% of revenue to K-12 schools and 11% to community colleges; excess (up to $2B/yr) can flow to Department of Health Care Services programs.

Arguments, both sides

In favor

“If we do not pass this, it actually is a tax cut for the wealthiest Californians.”

— David Goldberg, president of the California Teachers Association, via Ballotpedia [source]
Against

“Extending these income tax rates, it's hitting that same pressure points and it's causing the same incentives to leave. ... People with greater means are leaving the state.”

— Wayne Winegarden, senior fellow at the Pacific Research Institute, via Ballotpedia [source]

Who's funding each side

Support: $19M  ·  Oppose: $0

As of Scheduled reports through June 30, 2026; next scheduled reports due September 24, 2026..

Top supporters: California Teachers Association — $17,775,000.00; California Federation of Teachers COPE Prop/Ballot Committee — $750,000.00; PACE of California School Employees Association-Issues — $500,000.00

Source: Ballotpedia campaign finance

Endorsements

Supporting
  • California Teachers Association
  • California Federation of Teachers
  • California School Employees Association
  • AFSCME California
  • California Professional Firefighters
  • SEIU California State Council
  • California State PTA
  • CA School Nurses Organization
  • League of Women Voters of California
  • Planned Parenthood Affiliates of CA
  • California Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)
  • ACLU of Southern California
  • California State Association of Counties
Opposing
  • California Taxpayers Association
  • Reform California
  • Family Business Association of California
  • California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce

Source: Ballotpedia

Polling

Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) Statewide Survey · September 4-10, 2026

Yes 58% · No 40%

1,103 likely voters; margin of error ±3.8%

Source

Fiscal impact

Maintains $5 billion to $15 billion of annual state income tax revenue by making a temporary tax increase on high-income earners permanent instead of letting it expire in 2031. (Ballotpedia, quoting the Legislative Analyst's Office.)

How does Proposition 3 line up with your values?

Take the 13-question AlignAlgo Vote questionnaire and get a scored breakdown of this measure — provision by provision.

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Sources