Taxes driving people out of Jersey

Star Ledger ^ | 07.30.06 | KARIN PRICE MUELLER

[Coleus]

Some see it as an exodus. Others call it a mass migration. But it's really a financial flight. In interviews with dozens of New Jersey residents, financial advisers and estate planning attorneys, one thing becomes apparent: People are being taxed out of New Jersey. "I've always felt there's a level of taxation where people say, 'Enough is enough,'" said Curtis Dubay, an economist with the Tax Foundation, a Washington, D.C., nonpartisan tax research group. "If any state has pushed the line, it's New Jersey."

According to the foundation's 2006 State Business Tax Climate Index, New Jersey has the third highest tax load in the nation. For 2007, it's probably going to be worse, Dubay said. "I have little doubt that New Jersey will be the worst ranked state with regard to taxes," he said.

There's no question people are leaving. And, they have been for some time. Internal Revenue Service data shows each of New Jersey's 21 counties suffered a net population loss in 2004, the most recent year data is available. In that year, nearly 100,000 households left the state, taking with them $1 billion in personal income. They're leaving for more tax-friendly states such as Florida, Nevada and Delaware, IRS data shows. Here are the stories of five families of different financial means who have either left, or might leave, New Jersey:

THE COST OF LIVING

Former Princeton residents Don and Dawna Gallo call Golden, Colo., their home. "We loved New Jersey and we had no intention of leaving," said Dan Gallo, 45. "We wanted to stay and retire in the state, but when we looked at the costs of remaining in New Jersey, leaving was economically the right thing to do." The Gallos say taxes -- of all kinds -- were a huge reason for their move.

[Coleus]

The Tax Foundation - Tax Research Areas - Colorado

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Taxes Driving People out of Jersey

Just the taxes? : )

[kinoxi]

The smell on the I95 corridor has driven me beyond the speed limit out of the state a few times.

[frankiep]

New York, Long Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, etc. have been all become playgrounds for the wealthy liberal elite who are more than happy to push out hard working middle class Americans while claiming to be sticking up for the little guy. Frankly, having grown up on LI, I could never see myself moving back to the northeast region again. The ridiculous cost of living there is bad enough, but add to that the overwhelming population density. No thank you.

[claptrap]

Too bad Mexico defends her border so well we could divert
the Jerseyites down there and show them what for!

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

I bailed out of Jersey in 1979. I went to California, and was happy until the socialists took over. IMO, both states are lost causes, but I am more saddened to see California slide into the socialist abyss.

[onyx]

NJ has the third highest tax burder behind _________ and ________?

I am not going to sign up to read the remaining 5 pages.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Sad thing is, is that once upon a time NJ was very anti-tax, in the early and mid-twentieth century. New York corporations and businesses used to always set up shop in NJ. Pro-growth, NJ used to always have a high standard of living. It still does, but the ones who are getting paid are the teachers, administraters, and other gov't workers. I don't know what happened that made into a tax Hell.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

BUMP

[samm1148]

I was stationed there and actually liked it. We blamed the locals for letting the taxes get out of hand. Pennsylvania is adopting the same nonsense. I'm voting with my feet just as soon as I find something pleasing in the job world.

[TortReformer]

Problem is that the liberals of New Jersey will leave, only to inflict the same fate at the next state that they move to....

[ozoneliar]

Like a virus.

[peggybac]

I moved back to the midwest from Los Angeles almost 2 years ago. I have the opportunity to move back in a few months, and as much as I miss my work and friends in LA, I'm staying put. I have my eye on a few homes I want to look into purchasing for 1/4 of what I would pay in LA, not to mention the taxes, etc.

[samm1148]

Yep; you're 100% right. The big liberal areas of PA are Philly, Pittsburgh and the Poconos. The schools in the Poconos actually hired armed guards. Seems that the New York liberals have moved there to escape that. I guess the old adage about taking the boy out of the country applies. They brought the filth and social problems they had created with them.

[Lancey Howard]

Very interesting read. Good post.
I always enjoy stories about people "voting with their feet".
The only thing I wish these stories included was how the people who moved out voted. Did they consistently vote for the scumbag Democrats who live and breathe tax hikes? Are these people now simply moving to a new nest to foul?

[KellyAdmirer]

I hate driving in New Jersey. The entire northeast section is nothing but crowded highways, town after town with endless stoplights and traffic, and built-up sections everywhere. It is simply over-developed, and lacks character. Besides that, car insurance is pathetic, undoubtedly because there are just so many cars with lousy drivers everywhere you turn, and the odds of an accident are terrific. Just not a pleasant place. The only fun I have had driving in New Jersey is when I'm on the highway, headed out (and it's only a quick few hours to the Pennsylvania or New York border in any direction).

[brityank]

... the ones who are getting paid are the teachers, administraters, and other gov't workers. I don't know what happened that made into a tax Hell.

... the ones who are getting paid are the teachers, administraters, and other gov't workers -- and that's why it's been made into a tax Hell.

[bruinbirdman]

"In that year, nearly 100,000 households left the state,"

Hmmm !! Time for Joisie to lose a House member.

yitbos

[Ancesthntr]

Sad thing is, is that once upon a time NJ was very anti-tax, in the early and mid-twentieth century. New York corporations and businesses used to always set up shop in NJ. Pro-growth, NJ used to always have a high standard of living. It still does, but the ones who are getting paid are the teachers, administraters, and other gov't workers. I don't know what happened that made into a tax Hell.

What happened is that the big government libs got sick of living in the $hithole that their votes created in NYC, so they went to "the country" in "Joisey", became good (RINO) Republicans (because that's what city folk think you do in the suburbs/country), and proceeded to start voting for the same suicidal policies in NJ. The generally conservative original locals were overwhelmed, and NJ has become NYC South, or the PRNJ, as I refer to it.

BTW, I escaped from the PRNJ in late 2000. While I miss family, friends, some of the restaurants and the familiarity of the place I grew up, I wouldn't got back. And its not just the taxes. Add to that the overcrowding, the crime, the pollution, obnoxiously arrogant an unresponsive (to say nothing of ultra-corrupt) politicians and the Draconian gun laws. I'm not going back except for visits. I love Texas and its freedom too much.