Actor Mark Ruffalo renewed his criticism of California Gov. Gavin Newsom for supporting a ballot measure that could undercut efforts to tax billionaires, The Wrap reported.

The fight involves two competing propositions expected on California’s November ballot, and it has also become part of a larger argument over whether state leaders are standing with working people or protecting the ultra-wealthy.

Here’s what to know

The dispute stems from Newsom’s endorsement of Prop 42.

The ballot measure is designed to counter Prop 40‘s 5% billionaire tax plan and could override that initiative while potentially preventing future wealth taxes as well.

Ruffalo voiced his opinion of Newsom’s position on X.

Both proposals are expected to go before voters in November. Newsom has publicly opposed Prop 40 since January, putting him in direct conflict with a measure that would issue a one-time 5% tax California’s richest residents.

“Once again. Just like the Paramount merger, Gavin Newsom does what he always does: sells out the working class people for the billionaires again and again,” Ruffalo wrote, per The Wrap.

“Not only that but [Newsom] endorses a bill that will make it impossible to tax the wealthy at all.”

Newsom has defended his position in a prior statement.

“We all agree that Californians deserve to have their retirement and life savings protected from new state taxes so those savings are there when they need them,” he said, as The Wrap reported.

More background

Ruffalo has more broadly called out Newsom for what he sees as billionaire influence and kowtowing to major corporate interests.

In an online post, he blasted Newsom over the governor’s stance on Skydance’s Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger.

“Gavin Newsom hands huge win to Trump and his billionaire cronies,” Ruffalo wrote.

The backlash is unfolding as voters weigh two sharply different approaches to taxing wealth in California.

Prop 40 would create a 5% billionaire tax, while Prop 42 is being cast as the competing measure that could cancel out that effort and make future wealth taxes impossible to pursue.

What’s being done?

California voters will decide on both Prop 40 and Prop 42 in November.

Newsom is backing Prop 42 and has claimed the measure is meant to protect “retirement and life savings” from new taxes.

By tying Newsom’s position directly to billionaire interests, Ruffalo is framing the wealth tax fight as a broader debate about fairness and accountability.

The November ballot will now include two measures built around the same basic issue — taxing extreme wealth — with very different outcomes depending on which approach voters choose.

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