From 2009-2015, the population of Illinois decreased by almost 250,000 people. Those people left for places like North Carolina, Texas, Florida, Arizona, and other states that have much lower taxes for residents and businesses. The 247,410 people who left took around $13.7 billion with them. The trend continued in 2017, as 33,000 more people left the state and took almost another $2 billion.
The decrease in California since 2011 is almost the same (243,099), and those folks took $7.794 billion with them to states that have much lower taxes and costs of living for middle class families. The top two states the California refugees left for last year were Texas and Nevada, two states that have zero income tax. Personal and corporate income tax hikes in California have likely helped exacerbate the exodus of Californians.
New York has the highest state and local tax burden in the country, consuming an average of 12.7% of household income before the federal government even takes its portion. Since 2011, New York’s state population has decreased by 577,286, and these folks took more than $27 billion with them. The top recipient of former New York residents last year was Florida, which does not have an income tax.
Connecticut’s decrease since 2011 is 73,676 and $8.543 billion.
All four states are chasing families and businesses out with crushing taxes and onerous regulations. New York is leaving clean burning natural gas in the ground in the state’s southern counties while thousands of high-paying jobs are created just across the border in Pennsylvania, and billions of dollars in revenue fills Keystone State coffers.
What does all this mean? It means people are voting with their feet, and we are seeing them vote in favor of states that have smaller governments, lower taxes, and more sustainable levels of spending.
The Texas population increased an estimated 2.5 million since 2011. No state income tax, rich natural resources, abundant land, a central location within the United States and a business-friendly environment continue to attract both immigrants and U.S. natives to Texas. As a result, the state’s population is faster growing, younger and more diverse than the nation’s.
Rapid growth and demographic changes present challenges for Texas, but as a Texan, I welcome these newcomers and the diversity they bring to my state with open arms. I always tell them we have plenty of room, but to bring a strong work ethic and a mindset that Texas is still a place where you can create your own future. Regardless of what the media tells you, we respect hard work, and don’t care so much about the color of your skin.
One last thing to the newcomers: remember why you moved here in the first place, and please don't California my Texas.
The decrease in California since 2011 is almost the same (243,099), and those folks took $7.794 billion with them to states that have much lower taxes and costs of living for middle class families. The top two states the California refugees left for last year were Texas and Nevada, two states that have zero income tax. Personal and corporate income tax hikes in California have likely helped exacerbate the exodus of Californians.
New York has the highest state and local tax burden in the country, consuming an average of 12.7% of household income before the federal government even takes its portion. Since 2011, New York’s state population has decreased by 577,286, and these folks took more than $27 billion with them. The top recipient of former New York residents last year was Florida, which does not have an income tax.
Connecticut’s decrease since 2011 is 73,676 and $8.543 billion.
All four states are chasing families and businesses out with crushing taxes and onerous regulations. New York is leaving clean burning natural gas in the ground in the state’s southern counties while thousands of high-paying jobs are created just across the border in Pennsylvania, and billions of dollars in revenue fills Keystone State coffers.
What does all this mean? It means people are voting with their feet, and we are seeing them vote in favor of states that have smaller governments, lower taxes, and more sustainable levels of spending.
The Texas population increased an estimated 2.5 million since 2011. No state income tax, rich natural resources, abundant land, a central location within the United States and a business-friendly environment continue to attract both immigrants and U.S. natives to Texas. As a result, the state’s population is faster growing, younger and more diverse than the nation’s.
Rapid growth and demographic changes present challenges for Texas, but as a Texan, I welcome these newcomers and the diversity they bring to my state with open arms. I always tell them we have plenty of room, but to bring a strong work ethic and a mindset that Texas is still a place where you can create your own future. Regardless of what the media tells you, we respect hard work, and don’t care so much about the color of your skin.
One last thing to the newcomers: remember why you moved here in the first place, and please don't California my Texas.
