Calls for Wealthy New Yorkers to Return Home

On March 11, New York Governor Kathy Hochul urged affluent residents to come back from Florida in order to support the state’s extensive social programs.

There’s been a notable rise in the number of wealthy New Yorkers moving to Florida. In the lead-up to the 2025 elections, Democratic Mayor Zoran Mamdani has been positioned as a strong candidate, advocating for substantial tax hikes on high earners, aiming to fund initiatives like free daycare and government-operated grocery stores. During a discussion at the Albany Summit, Politico reporter Nick Reisman queried Hochul about these proposed tax increases.

“We really need our wealthy citizens to underwrite the generous social programs we envision for New York, don’t we?” Hochul remarked. “Now it seems the patriotic billionaires are stepping up. If you’re willing to assist, sure, write a check. But perhaps the first thing to do is head to Palm Beach and see who might be persuaded to return, because our tax base is dwindling.”

There’s an ongoing migration from Democratic-leaning states like California and New York, particularly to Florida, which benefits from not having a state income tax. A poll from Siena University in April 2023 indicated that 27% of New York residents intend to leave within the next five years, while 31% plan to leave upon retirement.

In a previous exchange during the 2022 gubernatorial race, Hochul dismissed opponents of her abortion policies, suggesting they lacked the characteristics of true New Yorkers. “Trump, Zeldin, Molinaro—just hop on a bus and head to Florida, that’s where you should be,” she stated, as reported by the New York Post. “It’s time to leave, since you don’t align with our values.”

“You aren’t New Yorkers, because we come from a rich tradition of advocating for women’s rights—a legacy that began here,” Hochul added.