New York Suffers Another Loss as Florida Gains

Ouch: Now Florida has passed the Empire State to become the second-most valuable US housing market, $3.8 trillion to $3.7 trillion. Where will they beat us next?

Yes, the humiliations will keep coming — as long as the Sunshine State’s government remains fundamentally business- and people-friendly while New York’s “leaders” view us all as cash cows.

COVID only accelerated the trend: Even with the pandemic over, memories of our long lockdowns, vs. Florida’s rapid reopening (to no ill health effect) linger.

But other issues drive the exodus, too: our high income taxes, vs. Florida’s none.

No wonder Florida at last account remained the No. 1 destinationof ex-New Yorkers.

Nor that the average income of departing NYers tops $100,000; many are high-earners with incomes topping $200,000 or more.

The issues are obvious enough that Gov. Kathy Hochul keeps vowing to make New York “the most business and worker-friendly state in the nation,” a line she used again to the Business Council the other day.

But it’s just talk: For proof, just watch the response to the business community’s $1 million push to roll back the state’s insane net-zero goals.

As we’ve noted time and again, the drive to electrify the whole state and stop burning any fossil fuels is an impossible dream that will bring blackouts and bankruptcy long before we even get close.

Yet the progressive political class refuses to face reality, so this madness will become a growing reason to escape from New York in the years ahead.

Until New York starts to learn from Florida, it’ll continue to eat our lunch, dinner and dessert.