Union leader behind billionaire tax measure alleges "smear" campaign against him

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

54% : "The Governor supports a national tax on billionaires and is proud to stand with teachers, firefighters, reproductive health clinics, and others in opposing this poorly written state measure that will harm California," said Newsom's spokesperson Izzy Gardon.
50% : The investigation also determined an allegation that Regan physically assaulted a former executive director of the state labor organization, Courtni Pugh, in 2009, was credible.
48% : During a video news conference hours after the allegations were published, Regan claimed the probes were launched by opponents of Proposition 40 -- the billionaire tax measure he helped place on the Nov. 3 ballot -- as well as members of the SEIU California labor council with whom he had clashed in the past.
47% : In July, the executive board for SEIU California voted to take a neutral position on the proposed wealth tax.
39% : " Newsom and other opponents of the measure, including Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and the California Teachers Assn., have expressed concern that Proposition 40 could push many of the state's biggest taxpayers to relocate and destabilize state finances.
37% : Set us as preferred SACRAMENTO -- Labor leader Dave Regan claimedFriday that he was the victim of a "smear" campaign orchestrated in part by wealthy Californians and said he has been falsely accused of attempting to "extort" an endorsement of the billionaire tax ballot measure and of physically assaulting a female union leader.
36% : The SEIU investigation report, which was reviewed by The Times, supported Huerta's claim that in December, Regan suggested the state council could be investigated for "governance issues" if the council did not endorse the proposed billionaire tax.
8% : Regan, joined by other SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West union leaders and members, also criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom for opposing the proposed one-time 5% tax on billionaires' assets.

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