[sifar]

You could flip it around. These companies wouldn't exist without California. The state had the conditions where these companies could germinate and thrive. Elsewhere they might, they might not.

In an alternate reality Mr Brin could still be a billionaire owner of a company not based in CA and he would still have to face this issue or he may not.

But we are here and question is why they don't think it is ok to pay these taxes. It is interesting to see their actions. There is some double think here - they want to cut ties and move out, yet want to influence the state. A sibling comment rightly said - they could be heroes by spending money that would be just a drop in the bucket for them, but instead choose to do this - still spend that money. The old adage seems true, you didn't become rich by doing that.

Now I understand one may not be happy the way the state allocates the funds - but that is a different discussion.