Dem Governor Begs Rich People Who Fled New York For Florida To Return And Foot Bill For ‘Generous Social Programs’

Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on March 11 pleaded for wealthy Americans to return from Florida to help fund the state’s “generous social programs.”

A surge of affluent New Yorkers moving to Florida took place in 2025 as Democratic New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani appeared likely to win the election after calling for massive tax increases on top income earners as part of a far-left policy agenda that included free day care and city-run grocery stores. Hochul was asked about the tax increases by Politico reporter Nick Reisman during a “fireside chat” at the Politico New York Agenda: Albany Summit.

“I need people who are high-net worth to support the generous social programs that we want to have in our state, right?” Hochul responded. “Now, there are some patriotic millionaires who stepped up. Okay, cut me the checks if you want to be supportive. But maybe the first step should be to go down to Palm Beach and see who we can bring back home because our tax base has been eroded.”

WATCH:

There has been an exodus of citizens from blue states like California and New York to Florida, which has no state income tax and has a