Posted on 02/27/2026 8:10:56 PM PST by Libloather
Well, that was a whiff.
The Padres, along with the state of California, struck out when free-agent pitcher Merrill Kelly spurned San Diego to stay in Arizona — even though the Padres dangled a better deal.
The deciding factor?
Punitive California taxes.
“I love San Diego,” Kelly said. “It’s just, like I said, they take too much money out of my pocket, man. The taxes over there are a different level.”
Indeed they are.
California has long slathered on taxes like so much snake oil from politicians.
Kelly, who inked a two-year, $40 million deal with the Diamondbacks, will save millions on his tax bill in Arizona (2.5% state income tax rate) compared with California (13.3%).
It’s time for Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislators to stop the madness, install spending accountability, and consider meaningful tax relief.
The middle class struggles to afford not only housing, gasoline, energy and groceries, but also onerous taxes.
Meanwhile, the state’s “soak the rich” routine has grown so egregious that the rich are saying sayonara — or declining to sign, play, live or work here in the first place.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
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Heard El Rushbo chat about sports taxes. Florida has no income tax but if they play a game in NY, visiting players pay the NY income tax. Gonna need a tax guy to figure out all this.
Commies don’t care about sports anyway, much less professional sports. Soon, all money making endeavours (including life sustaining businesses) will leave those cities, counties, and states. The commies gonna have to start working to make the things they need to survive. No more free ride.
Maybe another reason -
The hills have eyes: secret surveillance network springs up in San Diego
I don’t think Merrill Kelly has an immigration status problem
They can’t do that. California dems have painted themselves into a corner where if they actually did significantly cut taxes they would have to derail the “free stuff” gravy train for the leeches that vote for them. So, it’s just a one-way ratchet to financial oblivion.
Apparently high employee income taxes is also a big factor for businesses moving out of California. It also creates a barrier to convince potential employees to move to California.
Over 2 million, it looks like.
Tax breakdown shows why so many Californians are fleeing to Arizona
https://nypost.com/2026/02/27/us-news/the-taxes-differences-pushing-californians-to-arizona/
How much MLB star Merrill Kelly saves in taxes by spurning California contract for Arizona
He won’t be playing for any New York teams, either.
I remember El Rushbo’s troubles just trying to be released from the NY tax clutches. Took years with lawyers.
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