We all know blue states tax policies and unreasonable regulations are driving out businesses and high end taxpayers. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in a recent speech acknowledged the loss of their tax base. In an earlier speech she said good riddance, we don’t want your kind here.

Out of curiosity, I looked up New York’s budget and compared it to the budget of maybe the most successful state in the country (red of course) which is Florida. New York’s 2026 budget is about $268 billion (population over 20 million). Florida’s 2026 budget is about 114 billion (population over 23.6 million). Note that New York’s budget is 2.35 times larger in spite of a somewhat smaller population.

Also out of curiosity I looked up New York City’s budget which is about $115.9 billion (population about 8.4 million). Note that one city’s budget is about the same as the entire state of Florida.

The reason for my thinking is I fear we are becoming a blue state judging from the last two governor elections and the two recent Supreme Court wipe outs. Folks, do we really want to become California, New York, Illinois, etc.? If so kiss our standard of living, affordability, jobs, congressional districts good-bye.

Earl Orlebeke, Waukesha

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: High taxes and regulations will destroy Wisconsin’s economy | Letter