It's not a shock. Our streets in the Dallas area are full of California license plates or people who don't sound Texas.

A few years ago, a friend from New York (ardent Yankees & Giants fan) invited me to watch a Cowboys-Giants game at an eating place that looks and sounds like something next to Yankee Stadium. It was fun, a blast and got to hear just about every story about how taxes have driven New Yorkers to Dallas.

Nevertheless, it's always interesting to see and read about it:

In 2013, more than 200,000 people on net fled states with Democrat governors for ones run by Republicans, according to an analysis of newly released IRS  data by Americans for Tax Reform. 

"People move away from high tax states to low tax states. Every tax refugee is sending a powerful message to politicians," said ATR President Grover Norquist. "They are voting with their feet. Leaders in Texas and Florida are listening. New York and California are not."

That year, Democrat-run states lost a net 226,763 taxpayers, bringing with them nearly $15.7 billion in adjusted gross income (AGI). That same year, states with Republican governors gained nearly 220,000 new taxpayers, who brought more than $14.1 billion in AGI with them.

Only one-third of states with Democrat governors gained taxpayers, compared to three-fifths of states with Republican governors.  

Top 5 loser states for Democrat governors in 2013:
·      New York (114,929 people with $5.7 billion in AGI)
·      Illinois (68,943 people with $3.8 billion in AGI)
·      California (47,458 people with 3.8 billion in AGI)
·      Connecticut (14,453 people with $1.8 billion in AGI)
·      Massachusetts (11,915 people with $1 billion in AGI)

Top 5 winner states for Republican governors in 2013:
·      Texas (152,912 people with $6 billion in AGI)
·      Florida (74,094 people with 8.3 billion in AGI)
·      South Carolina (29,176 people with 1.6 billion in AGI)
·      North Carolina (26,207 people with $1.5 billion in AGI)
·      Arizona (16,549 people with $1.5 billion in AGI)

The single largest net migration from one state to another took place between New York and Florida (17,355 people). 

Sooner or later, these Democrat governors and legislatures will come to their senses and realize that you can't raise taxes if your taxpayers are now living in Texas. Mayor Emmanuel of Chicago recently got an earful from people angry about another tax increase.

Frankly, it would be better for the country if we had 50 healthy states but too many blue states just don't get it.

P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.