California bill would tax employers to fund universal health care

California Democrats proposed steep tax hikes to pay for a universal health care system on Jan. 6, prompting strong opposition from insurers, doctors and Republicans, the Associated Press reports. Assemblyman Ash Kalra proposed an amendment to the state Constitution that would impose an annual tax of 2.3% on businesses that have at least $2 million in annual revenue, plus a 1.25% tax on payroll for companies with at least 50 employees and a 1% tax for those employers who pay employees at least $49,900.