Americans are increasingly relocating from high-tax and heavily regulated states like New York and New Jersey, a trend that Unleash Prosperity highlights as not just a loss of residents, but also a loss of wealth. Recently, billboard messages such as “New Yorkers aren’t rising, they’re moving!” surfaced in prominent locations across these states.
Unleash Prosperity plans to keep these billboards up until November 19, intending to alert residents to the significance of their population decline. Founder Steve Moore, who also served as an economic advisor during the Trump administration, stated, “We’re doing this to remind people in New Jersey and New York that their most important asset is slipping away—people, businesses, and the money they contribute.”
This initiative is part of their Vote With Your Feet campaign, which utilizes IRS data among other sources to show population and wealth shifts across the nation. An interactive map on their website illustrates these trends. Moore mentioned that the initial significant migration wave occurred during the pandemic, with many moving from restrictive blue states to more open red states. However, he pointed out that the trend isn’t solely a COVID-19 effect; it’s been ongoing for about a decade.
Moore expressed concerns that continued migration could further polarize U.S. politics. He noted the historical tendency of New Yorkers relocating to Florida typically voting Democratic. Nowadays, though, residents escaping from New York and New Jersey are not just seeking economic relief; they’re also motivated by ideological differences. States like Florida and Texas have shifted to being more red as former blue-state residents move in.
While he didn’t specifically comment on current political candidates, Moore warned that increasing taxes in these states could have dire consequences. He brought up the high taxes in New Jersey—ranking third highest in the U.S.—which are driving residents away, along with issues related to crime and education. He controversially described crime as a sort of tax, arguing that if residents feel unsafe, they’re likely to leave.
Moore highlighted four major states—New York, California, New Jersey, and Illinois—that have seen significant population and income losses, attributing this largely to their excessive tax burdens. Aside from taxes, he mentioned that crime rates and failing schools also contribute to residents looking for greener pastures. He believes that reform such as school choice could lessen this outflow by providing better educational opportunities.
Both Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Texas Governor Greg Abbott are cited as examples of effective leadership—keeping taxes low and managing crime effectively, which he believes is essential for success. He encouraged lawmakers in blue states to adopt more pro-business stances and work on fighting crime, referencing former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s success in revitalizing the city.
On a brighter note, Moore acknowledged Democrats like San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and Houston Mayor John Whitmire, praising their ability to maintain population through pragmatic governance focused on business and safety. He suggested that similar approaches are necessary for cities and states to thrive.
