From 'jump on a bus' to tax crackdowns: Blue states chase wealthy residents fleeing to red havens

With Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declaring his jurisdiction a "free state" for transplants wishing to leave liberal policies and taxation behind, blue states like New York, Illinois and California are squeezing and at times pursuing natives who emigrate to financially greener pastures - while at the same time, some governors are blasting conservative voters as inauthentic neighbors and driving them out in the first place.

Fox News Digital took a look back at taxing authorities and top officials in blue states that have pursued or criticized the very people they are trying to retain for taxation purposes - and those who aren't simply urging them to return are finding ways to force continued collection.

BRING THEM BACK FROM PALM BEACH

Hochul, speaking during a Politico event this month, said "high-net-worth" people need to stay in New York to support the "generous social programs we want to have in our state."

"There are some patriotic millionaires who stepped up. OK, 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 you can bring back home, because our tax has been eroded."

'JUMP ON A BUS'

At a 2022 rally for Rep. Pat Ryan, a moderate Democrat from Ulster County, Hochul trashed Republican-voting New Yorkers and urged them to do what she now wants to see reversed.

"And we are here to say that the era of Trump, and Zeldin and Molinaro, just jump on a bus and head down to Florida where you belong, OK?"

"Get out of town. Because you do not represent our values. You are not New Yorkers," Hochul said, while facing off with now-EPA chief Lee Zeldin and criticizing Ryan's opponent, then-Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro whom Trump recently appointed as head of the FTA.

THE 'TEDDY BEAR' TAX TEST

Revenue agencies in states like New York have established multitiered tests to enforce residency liabilities for people who split their time between or try to claim other states as their primary home.

A "Near and Dear" factor asks taxpayers to consider the "location of items which the individual holds 'near and dear' to his or her heart, or those items which have significant sentimental value" - such as teddy bears.

"This analysis of 'Near and Dear' items can help to solidify the intent of the taxpayer concerning the location of his domicile," the document read.

Cuomo, however, appeared to have what pundits called a political "epiphany" when he voiced concern about the state's lurch to the left on tax policies.

"Tax the rich, tax the rich, tax the rich. We did that. God forbid the rich leave."

The top 1% of taxpayers foot 46% of personal income tax in New York, which is not alone in trying to keep people in.

REVERSE GOLD RUSH

In 1849, when gold was discovered at John Sutter's mill not far from Sacramento, people from across the country rushed in to make a buck.

"California … they don't particularly like when people that were large taxpayers … leave," Marc Minker, lead managing director at accounting provider and consulting firm CBIZ MHM, previously told FOX Business. "The state becomes very aggressive with respect to making you prove that you essentially changed your domicile."

If the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) determines a taxpayer to be a nonresident, their California-based income sources, like rental homes, can still be taxed.

The FTB also regularly conducts residency audits similar to New York's, with residency requirements remain more complex than other states' calculation of number-of-days-spent.

Several factors, including voter registration, bank accounts, doctors and memberships, are examined by the state.

LEAVING THE LAND OF LINCOLN

Fox News Digital reached out to Hochul for comment on her recent remarks.

Fox Business' Brittany De Lea contributed to this report.