NY is one of the highest taxed states in the union, too. ( I think it is the highest, but I wouldn't bet my firstborn on that.)
Take the bet!!!!
New York is the highest taxed in everything.
The New State Budget last year was $90 Billion dollars compare that to California's (Which has ~15 Million more people) 74 Billion and Texas' (About the same size) 67 Billion.
And that's only the tip of the Iceberg because good ole' Republican Pataki has a way of passing unfunded Mandates onto the counties and likes to borrow tons of $$$ just to have a balanced budget.
Say what you will about Grey Davis's budget but a least facing a crisis he is actually making cuts while in New York even though we are $10 Billion in the red Pataki is still going to increase spending this year by $2 Billion.
Californians are trying to recall Davis, HA!!! As a New Yorker I would gladly switch governors.