Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders mentioned that an influx of people, including many from California, is moving to the state due to its economic growth.
A Massive Influx
During an interview with Fox News’s Sean Hannity, Sanders said, “We’re seeing a massive influx of new people to our state.”
Exodus from California
The governor also mentioned that most new residents come from California, where Governor Gavin Newsom’s policies drive Californians away.
Newsom, “Seems to Screw Up”
She said, “Unfortunately for Californian, Gavin Newsom is following the Joe Biden model and every single thing he touches, he seems to screw up, which is bad for California but great for stats like Arkansas.”
Economic Policies Attracting New Residents
Sanders pointed out that Arkansas’s economic policies, like tax cuts she implemented during her first year as governor, are the main factors drawing in many new residents.
$300 Million Tax Cuts
The governor said, “We’ve already cut taxes by $300 million. And we are going to keep working until we phase it out entirely.”
Unacknowledged Federal Support
The Governor, however, did not mention the substantial federal aid Arkansas received. The state benefited from $1.6 billion in direct state fiscal aid and $795 million for local governments under the American Rescue Plan.
Sanders’ Vision for Arkansas
In a January op-ed for Talk Business, Governor Huckabee Sanders outlined her administration’s goals. She wrote, “I’ll keep working to cut taxes, improve schools, grow our workforce, invest in our natural spaces, and crack down on crime. And I know that together, we can make Arkansas the best state to live, work, and raise a family in America.”
Newsom’s In-Law Chooses Florida
During a November Fox News debate, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took a swipe at Newsom, noting that even Newsom’s father-in-law had left California in recent years for Florida.
“Florida is Much Better Governed”
The Florida governor remarked, “So, I was talking to a fella who had made a move from California to Florida, and he was telling me that Florida is much better governed, safer, better budget, lower taxes, all this stuff, and he’s really happy with the quality of life,”
“I’m Gavin Newsom’s Father-in-Law”
He continued, “And then he paused, and he said, ‘You know, by the way, I’m Gavin Newsom’s father-in-law. So we do count Gavin’s in-laws as some of the people that have fled California and come to the state of Florida.”
New Residence in Florida
In March 2020, Newsom’s in-laws, Kenneth Siebel Jr. and Judith Siebel, acquired a residence in Naples, Florida, for $3.3 million.
Increased Migration to Arkansas in 2022
U.S. Census data corroborates Governor Sanders’s claim of an influx, showing that over 86,000 individuals moved to Arkansas in 2022, a 10,000 increase from the previous year.
Texas Leads Migration
However, as per data, about 10% of these newcomers were from California, and most migrants came from other Republican-led states, with Texas leading the Pack.
Texas vs. California Migration
More than 17,000 people moved from Texas to Arkansas, followed by approximately 7,800 from California. States like Florida, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, all led by Republican governors, occupy the 3rd, 4th, and 5th positions, respectively.
Outbound Migration
Arkansas also saw a larger number of residents leaving, with over 74,000 departures in 2022. Texas was the top destination for these former Arkansas residents, which is also the state attracting the most Californians, over 105,000, according to 2020-2021 data.
Population Exodus from New York in 2022
Besides California, New York, another state governed by Democrats, experienced a large population migration. More than 545,500 residents left New York in 2022, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Florida Attracts New Yorkers
Florida emerged as the top destination for those departing New York, with over 90,000 New Yorkers relocating there.
Driver’s License Exchanges
Data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shows that in 2022, 64,577 individuals exchanged their New York driver’s licenses for Florida licenses.
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