I Said No to the Billionaire Tax | Antonio Villaraigosa
I Said No to the Billionaire Tax | Antonio Villaraigosa  
Podcast: State of Gold
Published On: Tue Mar 10 2026
Description: Guest:Antonio Villaraigosa, Former Mayor of Los AngelesGuest Bio: Antonio Villaraigosa is the former Mayor of Los Angeles and former Speaker of the California State Assembly. A longtime public servant, and now Democratic candidate for Governor, Villaraigosa has built his career around education reform, economic growth, and restoring opportunity in California.Show SummaryThe California Dream once meant opportunity, homeownership, and a better future for the next generation. Today, many Californians feel that dream slipping further out of reach.In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Antonio Villaraigosa to discuss the state’s political climate and what it will take to restore opportunity in California. The former Los Angeles Mayor shares his perspective on the Governor’s race, the challenges facing moderate voices in a polarized political environment, and why he believes California needs leaders focused on results rather than ideology.Villaraigosa also outlines his priorities for fixing California’s struggling education system, addressing housing affordability, cutting red tape that stifles business growth, and restoring the promise of the California Dream for the next generation.Chapters01:02 – Should Candidates Drop Out of the Governor’s Race?03:45 – The Political Center vs. The Extremes07:21 – The California Dream and Why It’s Slipping Away09:27 – Housing Costs and Economic Opportunity11:52 – Public Sector Pensions and Fiscal Responsibility17:10 – Fixing California’s Education System21:51 – Why Transparency and Accountability Matter23:13 – Spending, Deficits, and the State Budget24:28 – Why Villaraigosa Opposes the Billionaire Tax28:54 – Cutting Red Tape to Grow the Economy31:35 – Climate Goals vs. Infrastructure Reality34:34 – Rapid Fire: Fixing California’s Schools35:06 – Leaders He Admires in California History35:38 – Restoring the California DreamConnect with Antonio VillaraigosaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AntonioVillaraigosaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/antonioforcaliforniaTwitter: https://x.com/AVillaraigosaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AntonioforcaliforniaCampaign Site: https://www.antonio2026.com/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com