A correspondent sent a short note to us the other day adding his voice to the others we've blogged who say they think about leaving New York. From his note:
I can't wait to leave. In the next few years that is our plan. It is crazy[.] [E]very time you turn around we are getting taxed for something else! My mother-in-law left 7 years ago but had to come back because her husband passed away. She was so happy to be away from all the high taxes. It is a struggle now that she is back.More: An ex-New Yorker tells readers of the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin he knows why more New Yorkers are leaving the state.
I read the Dec. 30 article on the decline in population in New York, and Broome and Tioga counties specifically. I left New York for Missouri nearly 10 years ago and can shed some light for those researchers as to why they continue to see population decline.
I didn't have a lifelong desire to live in Missouri. I left because of the taxes. I would add job opportunities as a secondary reason, but jobs are directly affected by taxes so that would be redundant. I save enough in property taxes here in Missouri to make payments on a new car.
. . . .
I miss New York, but your taxes aren't my problem anymore.And: The Saratogian says the state's New Year's resolution should be trying to keep people here.
Despite its many and varied charms, New York is shrinking. The state lost 26,000 residents from July 2004 to July 2005. That's as if everyone is Saratoga Springs vanished.
That's a lot of resources to lose and it doesn't bode well for the future. Along with losing personal clout, the state will lose representation in Congress, if this trend continues.
The Business Council of New York State cites high taxes as the likely reason people are fleeing the state. No matter how nice a place is, people need to be able to pay the rent or mortgage with something left over for themselves or their families.
With tax season coming up, it's chilling to realize that New York's state and local tax burden is the highest in the nation at $4,645 per person. Florida and Texas have respective tax bites that are about $2,000 less. Not surprisingly, both gained population while New York lost it.
. . . .
The Syracuse area has a "Come Home" campaign that aims to stop brain drain and labor drain by reminding young professionals of all the comforts of home. More importantly, it enables them to stay in the area by providing solid jobs in a wide range of fields.
Syracuse is on the right track in its thinking, and other cities or regions can benefit by following its example.