Commentary by Samuel Strait – June 3, 2022 With the mass exodus of people fleeing "blue states" such as New York, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, something unexpected, not really, is happening. When these state governments went "all in" on the progressive line of insanity, certain consequences have a nasty habit of coming back with devastating effect. States like California and New York flounder through all sorts of liberal, left leaning public policies and the costs related to them, find high earning individuals have quietly been packing their bags and relocating to states with more sensible public policy and a significantly lower tax burden. Texas, Arizona, Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina have been reaping the benefits of "blue state" flight. How is that you might ask? It seems that in an analysis of IRS migration data by Wirepoints, an Illinois based research organization, some alarming connections have come to light that should cause politicians in those states some sleepless nights. What am I thinking, this is a bunch of loose cannons, Democrats for the most part, that have ignored the clear and present danger of their political posturing for decades and will steam full speed ahead until the once prosperous states, that is before they became "blue", join the third world for good. Those that are fleeing for "sunnier" shores are taking with them billions in future tax revenues paid to the states from "high income" earners in the form of income tax, and to a certain degree, sales tax. For California alone, over the past couple of years, this change of scenery has cost the State nearly $18 Billion in revenue in 2019 and each year there after. With a State budget proposed by our governor, Gavin Newsom, of over $300 Billion for the 2022-2023 coming budget year this may seem insignificant, $18 Billion as merely pocket change to be sure. Yet, as years go forward with no change in sight, ten years in and the $18 Billion becomes $180 Billion, or over half a year's budget. Once the high earners escape to more favorable places, that is money that is not easily replaced. In fact as New York, New Jersey, and California are to learn from Wirepoint's research is that the IRS data is showing that the few coming into those states have significantly less income to be taxed and in many cases have no income and are a burden to the state rather than replace that lost tax revenue. Further examination has shown that the expected losses in California can quickly mount up over a few short years to trillions as the losses accelerate. With the best and brightest moving to Texas and Florida, tax revenues have steadily increased in both states. Those that are the most productive have left states that do not value their contributions by over regulating, taxing, allowing outlandish/eccentric societal behavior, and fostering increasing criminal activity. With the heavy handed approach by governors like California's Newsom, over the pandemic, the decision to move and take their tax revenue with them was a no brainer. Clearly at the State level Governor Hair Gel has not gotten the message, and likely never will. Since our local leadership is tied to the state, the drain of productive citizens will shortly begin to affect us here in Del Norte County and subsequently our tax receipts as well. Since those that currently occupy seats in County and City government appear obliviously to what is happening in the County, loss of nearly 800 residents just in the past couple of years, the cumulative effect of the loss of that tax revenue from just those few will rapidly grow to a point that the current growth in government will not be sustainable. The time to cut back on government growth cannot happen soon enough. Funding from Measure"R" sales tax money has only given local leaders a false sense of financial stability which will evaporate quickly as more productive people leave the County. In November it is the intention of locals to have measures on the ballot to halt growth of government and restore some sense of sanity in local leadership with citizens who understand that conditions in California will only get worse if the present policies continue to be operative. No one on the current County Board of Supervisors has the foresight to understand that Measure "R" money was not meant to hire new employees and grow government at an unsustainable cost to the local population into the future. It is this kind of leadership that has our best and brightest forsaking the natural wonders and benefits of living in California for Texas or Arizona. California is insisting on doing things the hard way, Del Norte County shouldn't follow along.