Democrat states are desperate to tax the rich — even after they leave

NY Post ^ | 4/16/26 | Jonathan Turley

[Libloather]

New York, New York — if you can make it here . . . we don’t want you.

Gov. Kathy Hochul used Tax Day to announce a new fee targeting wealthy people who still linger in the city after moving their primary residences to other states.

The tax, called pied-à-terre (or “foot on the ground”) is designed to hit people who still maintain high-value properties in the city. It is a remarkably moronic effort to ensure that wealthy people cut all ties with the city.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a socialist who supports the “decommodification” of private property, is seeking major tax increases, including a 10% property tax, to fund his pledges for free buses, city-run stores and other policies.

The new measure, which would raise an estimated $500 million for the state, would add a fee to existing taxes for owners of high-value properties worth more than $5 million.

The pied-à-terre tax is just one of the tax increases being pushed in blue states from Washington and Virginia to get every last cent from wealthy residents before they flee.

Or even if they do flee. California and other states are pursuing retroactive wealth taxes and so-called “Teddy Bear laws” that refuse to recognize changes of residency.

New York has used its regulations to declare that people who fled to other states are still residents subject to taxation because of the location of their sentimental attachments in New York (like a Teddy bear) from pets to children.

In my new book, “Rage and the Republic,” I discuss these taxes and how they are the final stage of economic atrophy for states like New York.

[packrat35]

New York and NYC voters brought this on themselves for their voting habits. I feel no pity for them.