Skip to Content
The State of New York

Video: Do Rich New Yorkers Actually Flee Higher Taxes?

The rich hate moving too.

1:26 PM EDT on March 29, 2023

(Screenshot via YouTube)

There's only a week or so left for lawmakers and the governor to hash out the state budget, and income taxes are just one of the many sticking points.

Governor Kathy Hochul doesn't want to raise those taxes at all, while the legislature has countered with half-percent increases in the taxes on people making $5 million and $25 million every year, to generate another $700 million in revenue for the state.

More ambitious proposals exist, like raising taxes on inheritances over $5 million, or taxing unrealized capital gains. But those initiatives, which would raise tens of billions of dollars, have died on the vine.

Perhaps the most common excuse repeated by politicians who don't want to tax the rich is that the rich will just up and leave!

But is this true? Will the wealthiest New Yorkers just pack their shit and vacate their museum board seats and private school networks for the lower-tax climes of Florida or Texas?

Filmmakers Jeff Seal, Chris Libbey, and Nick Libbey—who previously have captured the beauty of people attempting to cross the street during the NYC Marathon and made a strong case for Good Cause Eviction legislation in the New York Times—tackled the subject with their unique blend of pavement-pounding zeal, engaging interviews, and a halfway decent Peter Falk impression. You'll be singing "Sixty-eight percenttttttt!" while you brush your teeth tonight.

Thanks for reading!

Register or log in to continue.

See all subscription options.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Hell Gate

The Testimony of Fatboi Sharif

At a recent show in NYC, the Rahway rapper welcomed an audience to his world.

Get Ready for a Hot No Lifeguard Summer

And other links to start your bummer summer.

May 30, 2023

Flying Squirrels? NYC’s Got ‘Em

And sometimes, they visit your fire escape.

May 29, 2023

Hell Gate Debates the 2023 Song of the Summer

Fans of dry sherry cocktails and Fleetwood Mac must tune in.

May 26, 2023
See all posts