Yep, CA’s treatment on stock options (ESOP) is also disgusting.
If you move “from” CA, and years later sell your options, CA taxes them because they vested in CA.
If you move “to” CA after fully vesting options in another state, CA taxes them because you sold them in CA.
I am very sorry to hear that. “Going Galt” seems to make sense at times since people are penalized for working, producing, saving and investing. I know it isn’t practical for everyone, but....