She told taxpayers to leave. Now she needs their money back. pic.twitter.com/Lzf8rO4vCg
— The Atlas Society (@TheAtlasSociety) July 29, 2026
- In 2022 Kathy Hochul told Republican opponents to jump on a bus and head to Florida.
- She said “Get out of town because you don’t represent our values.”
- Wealthy residents and businesses have continued leaving New York for lower-tax states.
- New York’s share of U.S. millionaires has declined in recent years.
- In March 2026 Hochul admitted the tax base has been eroded.
- She said she needs high-net-worth people to support the state’s generous social programs.
- Hochul told supporters to go to Palm Beach and see who they can bring back home.
- She also invited patriotic millionaires to cut her checks.
- Hochul has argued against further tax hikes on high earners to avoid driving more people out.
A Citizen Budget Commission report highlighted the drop in New York’s share of national millionaires. New York City continues facing large budget gaps requiring state bailouts. Polls show a large share of New Yorkers still considering leaving over cost of living and quality of life.
Yahoo Finance on the plea and 2022 remarks: https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/policy/articles/kathy-hochul-pleads-rich-yorkers-165700073.html
RealClearPolitics Florida response: https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2026/03/31/hell_no_we_wont_go_a_florida_mans_response_to_nys_gov_hochul_153995.html
New York Post coverage: https://nypost.com/2026/03/18/us-news/kathy-hochul-begs-wealthy-new-yorkers-to-come-back-as-mamdani-pressures-her-to-hike-their-taxes/