USpolitics

Because he knows a national tax has no chance of passing.

Add a clause that says an equivalent federal tax would nullify this tax. And then use this until the national one passes. Don't let perfect be the enemy of good enough for now

This makes sense. People with enough wealth to be worth taxing can afford the financial and legal vehicles to ensure their wealth in California is non taxable, for example by registering in a state without said taxes. It's actually a problem they have in the UK where there are some low tax jurisdictions like Barbados.

I believe Gavin Newsom was mayor of San Francisco when they first began issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples before the state of California and the federal government recognized gay marriage. Why is gay marriage at the local level accepted with Newsom but a one time tax on billionaires not?

Also, local government and state governments allowing same sex marriages paved the way for the federal government recognizing gay marriage. Why would the playbook be any different for taxing billionaires?