A VERY IMPORTANT STORY, AND A LESSON FOR AMERICA – AT 9:05 A.M. ET:  Americans are voting with their feet, and self-indulgent, fatheaded states like California and New York had better take note.  From The Washington Examiner:

Migration from high-tax states to states with lower taxes and less government spending will dramatically alter the composition of future Congresses, according to a study by Americans for Tax Reform.

Eight states are projected to gain at least one congressional seat under reapportionment following the 2010 Census: Texas (four seats), Florida (two seats), Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah and Washington (one seat each). Their average top state personal income tax rate: 2.8 percent.

By contrast, New York and Ohio are likely to lose two seats each, while Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania will be down one apiece. The average top state personal income tax rate in these loser states: 6.05 percent.

The state and local tax burden is nearly a third lower in states with growing populations, ATR found. As a result, per capita government spending is also lower: $4,008 for states gaining congressional seats, $5,117 for states losing them.

And, as ATR notes, “in eight of ten losers, workers can be forced to join a union as a condition of employment. In 7 of the 8 gainers, workers are given a choice whether to join or contribute financially to a union.”

COMMENT:  We're in New York, and we see this effect all the time.  Small business owners have told me they're fed up with state taxes and the inflated cost of living.  One owner with a legendary establishment said to me, "What am I doing here?"

New York and California are almost bankrupt, and Illinois has an enormous debt load. 

I'd like to see, however, if New Jersey falls off the endangered list as a result of the incredible work by Governor Chris Christie.  It will take time and effort, because the damage to New Jersey has been great, but Christie is getting the job done in the form of budget cuts and confrontations with state employee unions.

November 18, 2010