Let’s talk about New York—the Empire State, once the envy of the nation, now better known as the state people can’t leave fast enough. According to a new study, New York is facing a significant population decline, and it’s not because of the weather. No, it’s not the snow that’s sending people packing—it’s the blizzard of progressive policies coming out of Albany and City Hall.

The numbers don’t lie. Families, small business owners, and retirees are fleeing at record rates, heading to places where taxes don’t crush their dreams, and the government doesn’t micromanage their lives. Florida, Texas, and the Carolinas are the big winners here. Meanwhile, Governor Kathy Hochul and the progressive elite scratch their heads and wonder, “Why doesn’t anyone want to stay in our utopia?”

Taxes, Crime, and the High Cost of “Progress”

Here’s a spoiler alert: people don’t like paying exorbitant taxes for subpar services. New York has some of the highest taxes in the country—state income tax, property tax, you name it. And what do New Yorkers get in return? A crumbling subway system, skyrocketing rents, and public schools more focused on teaching woke ideology than the basics.

Then there’s the crime. Progressive policies like cashless bail and defunding the police have turned parts of New York City into open-air crime scenes. People don’t feel safe, and they’re voting with their feet. Who wants to pay a premium to live in a place where you’re more likely to get mugged than see your tax dollars at work?

But wait, there’s more! Don’t forget the endless regulations that make running a business in New York about as appealing as a root canal. Small businesses are the backbone of the economy, but in New York, they’re treated like the enemy. Is it any wonder that entrepreneurs are taking their ideas and jobs elsewhere?

Florida Says, “Welcome Home!”

The exodus from New York has been a boon for states like Florida. And why not? Florida has no state income tax, a business-friendly environment, and leaders who actually believe in law and order. While New York politicians are busy banning gas stoves and plastic straws, Florida is attracting the very people New York is driving away.

This isn’t just anecdotal. The data shows a clear trend: Florida’s population is booming, and many of the newcomers are former New Yorkers. These aren’t just retirees, either. Young families and professionals are making the move, drawn by the promise of lower taxes, safer communities, and more freedom. It’s almost as if people like keeping more of their own money and living in a state where the government doesn’t treat them like ATMs.

Progressive Elites: Out of Touch and Out of Excuses

You’d think the powers-that-be in New York would take a hard look at these trends and say, “Maybe we’re doing something wrong.” But no, introspection isn’t exactly their strong suit. Instead, they blame everyone else. The media blames the weather. Hochul blames Trump. And the New York Times blames… capitalism. Because, of course, it does.

The truth is, New York’s decline isn’t about external factors. It’s about choices. Progressive policies have made the state unaffordable, unsafe, and unlivable for anyone who isn’t part of the elite. The same politicians who claim to champion the working class are the ones driving them out of the state.

What’s Next for New York?

At this rate, New York’s population decline isn’t just a trend—it’s a crisis. The state is losing taxpayers, businesses, and talent, and unless something changes, it’s only going to get worse. The question is: will New York’s leaders wake up before it’s too late?

The solution isn’t complicated. Lower taxes. Support the police. Cut the red tape strangling small businesses. In other words, do the opposite of what progressives have been doing for the past decade. But don’t hold your breath. The elites are too busy congratulating themselves at fundraisers to notice the ship is sinking.

Final Thoughts: A Cautionary Tale

New York’s decline is a cautionary tale for the rest of the country. It’s what happens when ideology trumps common sense and when politicians forget they work for the people, not the other way around. If New York wants to stop the exodus, it needs to stop doubling down on the policies that are driving people away. Otherwise, it might just find itself with the only population that can afford to stay: the elites who created this mess in the first place.