On Tuesday, May 5 at U.C. Berkeley, Dr. Arthur Laffer and Professor Emmanuel Saez will debate the proposed California billionaire wealth tax. The proposal, which is slated to appear on California’s November 2026 ballot, raises important questions about investment, economic growth, and the broader direction of tax policy in the United States.

Saez, a leading scholar on inequality and progressive taxation, will present the case in favor of the proposal. Dr. Laffer will make the case against it. Saez has endorsed tax rates as high as 80%. Given the stakes and the sharply contrasting views, this promises to be one of the most important and consequential economic debates in years.

The debate will be available to watch via livestream using the below link.

Date and Time: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 6pm Pacific / 9pm Eastern

Watch here: