Blue state departures hit the coffers hard, so progressive Democrats devise a creative new way to tourniquet the revenue bleed

American Thinker ^ | 24 Apr, 2024 | Olivia Murray

[MtnClimber]

Voting with your feet and fleeing the policies of the Democrat left? Now, there’s a fine for that.

When does the tarring and feathering start?

You didn’t vote for this garbage, but your useful idiot neighbors did, so now you’ve decided to pack up and head to a state with lighter tax burdens (still a burden, but nonetheless more doable), where the government isn’t prioritizing “trans-ing” your child behind your back and threatening to sever the parental relationship if you get in the way; where prosecutors won’t come after you if you’re forced to defend yourself (or others, as in the case of Daniel Penny) against the aggression of a violent criminal; and where illegal invaders aren’t treated like royalty, all on your dime. Well, now there’s a fine for that. Introducing… the “Exit Tax.”

You think you’re just going to emancipate yourself from the tyranny of Democrat-run jurisdictions and flee to a friendlier locale? Bless your heart. Here’s the story, from a new report out at Fox News just this morning:

Ready to pick up and move to another state? Well, you might have to think twice because broke blue states are coming up with a new, creative way to tax you when you cross the border: the EXIT TAX.

This policy is already established in one state—if you guessed California, you’d be correct— but other debt-saddled Democrat states are looking to follow suit. (If you weren’t up to speed, California is facing a historic deficit in the tens of billions.) Now, while the government calls this a “tax” it’s obviously not a tax at all, but a fine, penalizing a producer for rejecting the policies of the progressive Democrat party, the same ones turning everything they touch into a dystopian and apocalyptic landfill.

[ByteMercenary]

“Sounds rather unconstitutional to me, but...”

Why? The FedGov cannot do it but individual states can tax as they see fit. Tenth Amendment and such. It isn’t fair or moral but since when does that bother a democRAT?

[subterfuge]

You are not wrong. I read that the dollar was worth 9%less in January 23 than it was worth in 2021. The criminal government is taking out the middle class and it’s not an accident.

[CurlyDave]

I seem to recall that California, at one time, required people who earned their retirement in California to pay California State Income Tax, even when they lived in another State. Eventually, the issue was taken up by the Supremes and it was declared unconstitutional.

You are correct.

DW and I are benefitting from that decision right now. Of course we moved to Oregon, which has even higher taxes than CA. But, DW's situation is even more delicious. She worked for the state, so not only does she not have to pay taxes in CA, but CA collects taxes from Californians in order to pay her pension.

[AndyJackson]

Interstate commerce and free movement of citizens among others.

[ridesthemiles]

CANNOT-—IS TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION

Calif was taxing municipal pensions for years—— even when people moved.
IT got challenged in late 80’s & Calif lost-—Fireman friend moved to Midwest.

TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION—Couldn’t vote for Calif items.

[ridesthemiles]

When I moved to Nevada, I got new plates for my 3 vehicles at DMV & a new DL for myself.

MY PLATES were physically returned to Calif. Normal Nevada procedure.

For the next TWO YEARS, I got DEMANDS from Calif for registration of my vehicles & my DL.

NOTHING was forwarded from my old address-—

CAME direct to new address.

Same for 2 friends who moved to KANSAS.