By Mike Flippo @ Shutterstock.com
New data from the IRS adds some detail to what America already knew from the Census–people don’t want to live in California anymore. On net, California lost more taxpayers and dependents than any other state between 2018 and 2019. Eight million people left the state during that time, with 165,355 fewer moving in, making for the state’s largest loss. Those numbers don’t even include the mass exodus caused by COVID-19.
Texas and Arizona were the most popular destinations for California refugees. Cole Lauterbach reports for Just the News:
Texas was the primary destination for California ex-pats, with 72,306 total exemptions leaving to go there. Neighboring Arizona saw 53,476 total filing exemptions come from California. The two states saw a gross income boost of $3.4 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively.
Despite the annual losses, the Golden State still is the nation’s most populous and benefits from a diversified economy that attracts high earners who are more likely to afford what has become some of the nation’s most-expensive cities in which to live.
Brandon Ristoff, a policy analyst with the California Policy Center, reacted to the figures Thursday, saying the IRS’ new numbers reflect the exodus of residents they have seen on the ground.
“Billions of dollars of this state’s wealth has been sent away year after year from our great state, because of California’s bad policies on the economy, education and more,” he said. “California used to be a place where everyone wanted to live, but now California has become a place where people want to leave.”
Action Line: If you’re living in a state that treats you and your business like a piggy bank, it’s time to look for a better America.
Originally posted on Your Survival Guy.
