George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley sounded off with a vengeance on Democratic tax schemes, namely the highly aggressive Democratic scheme of taxing fleeing residents, as California is doing, or instituting new taxes on property owned by non-residents of the state, as New York is doing.
Such is what Turley argued when he appeared on Fox Business’s “Kudlow” on Friday, April 18, skewering the Democratic states for their new high-tax policies that punish and expropriate the property not just of residents, but of those who are smart enough to flee.
Turley said, commenting on the situation, that the blue states involved are effectively attempting to hold residents hostage by making taxes on leaving so restrictive. He said, “The blue states are solving their problem with this exodus of people leaving by making taxes retroactive and trying to essentially capture people in the state.”
Continuing, he noted that the regulations are designed to make leaving practically impossible, so that yet more tax revenue can be squeezed from them, saying, “These teddy bear laws are basically designed, or regulations are designed, in New York and other states, to say we’re just not going to accept that you left us.”
Then, getting to his great line about how ridiculously and embarrassingly the Democrats are acting, he explained, “It’s like a deranged ex-spouse in denial. They just say you really didn’t leave us. You still love us, you’re still here. You’ve got all of these so-called items of affection here. You must still want to be with us.”
He further noted, describing how the blue states are destroying themselves with onerous and ridiculous taxation, “And it’s an absolutely bizarre situation. What you’re witnessing is economic atrophy. You’re watching these economies contract. You’re watching the exodus of wealthy individuals and businesses to more positive environments.”
Adding to that, Turley noted how they are trying to trap unlucky residents rather than attract new ones, saying, “And instead of looking at Texas, looking at Florida, trying to create those magnets for new residents, they’re trying to capture or trap people who are trying to leave.”
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Gov. Hochul’s office, announcing the new tax that Turley attacked, said, “Governor Kathy Hochul today proposed a pied-à-terre tax to support Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s efforts to close New York City’s budget gap. The proposal targets luxury second homes in New York City valued at $5 million or more, allowing the city to levy a yearly tax surcharge aimed at ultrawealthy, non-New York City residents. As New York City faces a significant budget gap, the Governor’s proposal will generate much needed revenue for the city without impacting every day New Yorkers.”
It further noted, “The proposal is expected to generate at least $500 million a year in recurring revenue for the City. It builds on the Governor’s recent announcement that the state will provide an additional $1.5 billion for New York City in the FY2027 budget. As part of ongoing discussions, the City of New York has also committed to achieving significant savings in order to balance its budget.”
The governor, for her part, said, “New York City is the greatest city in the world, and the people who call it home should not be left carrying the burden alone. As Governor, I understand the importance of stabilizing the city’s finances without compromising on essential services New Yorkers count on. If you can afford a $5 million second home that sits empty most of the year, you can afford to contribute like every other New Yorker.”