Our friends at the Wall street Journal recently editorialized on data they received from a United Van Lines study, which correlated US population migration patterns against states with an income tax.
They noted that the eight states (including Florida) without an income tax were stealing population from states with income taxes. Of course, they called out the penalty that new arrivals to Florida pay in property taxes relative to those who have been here for a period of time.
What was telling for us, though, was their concluding paragraph:
"Our friends on the left say Americans are willing to pay more taxes to get better government services, but their migration patterns reveal the opposite. Governors would be wise to heed these interstate migration trends as they try to cope with what may be one of the worst years in recent memory for state finances. The people who tend to be the most mobile in American society are the educated and motivated - in other words, the taxpaying class. Tax them too much, and you'll soon find they aren't there to tax at all."
If the desirable, educated and motivated members of society are willing to move cross-country for a tax break, who says they wouldn't be even more willing to move a couple of towns (or counties) over?
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4 comments:
This is a very real problem. It is happening on a national scale also. We have more expatriates living and working around the world than ever before in our history. Taxation is the prime motivator.
was it not john quincy adams that suggested that "government" is allowed to prosper for about 75 years and then should be replaced? or words to that effect? vote them all out. lets start again.
Every incumbent should go.
NO MORE INCUMBENTS, NO MORE PLAYING MUSICAL SEATS GOING FROM ONE ELECTED OFFICE TO ANOTHER. LET'S ALL STOP THEM NOW! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
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