Eric Schmidt, Sergey Brin at odds on Proposition 40 strategy
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and co-founder Sergey Brin are reportedly unhappy over how to fight California's Proposition 40, a proposed one-time 5% tax on California residents with net worth above $1 billion as of January 1, 2026.
Both have donated to Building a Better California, the group leading the opposition, but they're not seeing eye-to-eye on where the money's going.
Brin $100 million+ Schmidt $3 million+ funding dispute
Schmidt is frustrated that some of the group's funds are being used for other ballot measures, not just fighting Prop 40.
Brin has put in more than $100 million, while Schmidt has contributed more than $3 million.
Tensions spiked after California Democrats backed Prop 40, which both tech leaders strongly oppose.
The disagreement has turned into a bigger rift about spending priorities and strategy within their anti-tax campaign.