New York’s legislature isn’t Democrat, only the Assembly is. The Senate is Republican. Fine. But, what is NY tax rate vs NJ or CA? I'd bet they are all close to the top of the list. NY is only slightly left of CA, and sinking fast, because more people are being paid to not work than are being paid to work.
According to taxadmin.org, New York's highest
individual tax rates are still less than California and New Jersey. Also less than red state bastians such as Idaho and Montana. Probably a bigger difference is the rate on the lowest bracket, which is significantly higher than a lot of other states' rates on that list. Incidentally, New York's narrower spread puts it a lot closer to a flat tax than many of the other states, who apparently bribe votes from the poor by cutting only their taxes. Also, only New York City and Yonkers have local income taxes.
New York's corporate tax rate is lower than California and New Jersey too.
There are certainly other taxes around too. But it's not so simple as you make out. Upstate New York is a swing state with a NYC tax burden and state mandates (30% of healthcare costs required from local governments) on its sinking economy. It's much more libertarian in character than left.