Unleash Prosperity launched a bold billboard push in New York and New Jersey to spotlight a clear trend: people and wealth are leaving blue states. The group’s data-driven Vote With Your Feet effort says taxes, crime and poor schools are driving residents to greener pastures in red states. Steve Moore, who led economic work in the Trump administration, is front and center explaining why this migration matters for jobs, businesses and civic life.
Rush-hour billboards appeared across high-traffic corridors carrying blunt messages meant to get attention: “New Yorkers aren’t moving up, they’re moving out!” and, “New Jersey isn’t moving up, families are moving out!” The signs are intentionally direct, aimed at voters and officials who still downplay the exit. Organizers are keeping the visuals in place for weeks to force a conversation about policy and priorities.
The Vote With Your Feet campaign compiles IRS and other official data to map how people and income cross state lines. Those interactive maps show not just population shifts but the direction of economic power and political leanings too. Moore and his team want that evidence to drive real policy debates in state capitals and city halls.
“We’re running this billboard campaign to alert people, the citizens of those states, that you’re losing your most precious resource in New Jersey and New York. And you know what that precious resource is? Your people, your citizens, your businesses and the money that they spend,” Moore said, laying out the campaign’s blunt premise. The message is less about partisan finger-pointing and more about the tangible costs of decisions made by local leaders. If leaders ignore the data, the people they serve will vote with their feet.
“Our study looks over the last 10 years. So, it’s not just the COVID effect,” Moore adds, insisting the pattern predates the pandemic. That long-term view underscores a structural shift tied to governance choices rather than a one-time disruption. The implication is clear: policy matters over the long haul.
Moore argues that migration is reshaping political maps, not just population statistics, because many who leave are doing so for ideological as well as economic reasons. Florida and Texas, he contends, are not becoming more purple — they are getting redder as newcomers embrace lower taxes and firmer public-safety postures. For Republicans, that trend is both an opportunity and a warning to double down on pro-growth platforms.
“I believe if New York were to raise its income taxes — [like] some of the politicians are talking about — that Wall Street would no longer be located in New York City. It would move out,” Moore warned, pointing to business flight as a realistic risk. He also warns that New Jersey’s tax burden is chasing people away: “New Jersey is the third highest taxed state in the country, one of the highest income taxes, one of highest business taxes, and small businesses and big businesses can’t do business there anymore. So, the policies need to be reversed,” he said.
Moore names New York, California, New Jersey and Illinois as the states losing the most people and the most income. He points to a common thread among them, calling out “very, very high taxes.” For those watching budgets and job creation, losing taxable residents means fewer resources and a weaker local economy over time.
Beyond taxes, Moore singles out crime and failing schools as exit triggers for families. “I think crime is a tax. And if you can’t feel safe walking down the streets of your neighborhood, you’re going to want to leave,” he said, equating disorder with a cost that communities can’t afford. He also suggests expanding school choice as a way to keep families anchored by offering better education options.
On governance, Moore praises Republican leaders who have prioritized low taxes and public safety, saying those are the core ingredients of retention and growth. He points to historical examples of urban cleanups and insists cities must restore order and encourage entrepreneurship. Blue-state lawmakers, he argues, should embrace pro-business reforms if they want to stem the exodus.
Moore did single out a few Democrats who, in his view, are getting it right locally. He described Lurie as a “very pro-business, moderate Democrat” who is “cleaning up” San Francisco and credited Whitmire as a “no-nonsense” lawmaker in Houston. Those examples are offered as proof that good policy transcends party labels when leaders prioritize results over rhetoric.
Unleash Prosperity plans to keep the campaign visible through Nov. 19, a timeline meant to maximize public exposure and pressure. The hope from a Republican perspective is that clear data and blunt messaging will nudge policymakers toward lower taxes, tougher crime policies and school reforms. For voters watching their communities change, the campaign is a reminder that the stakes are local and immediate.
Darnell Thompkins is a conservative opinion writer from Atlanta, GA, known for his insightful commentary on politics, culture, and community issues. With a passion for championing traditional values and personal responsibility, Darnell brings a thoughtful Southern perspective to the national conversation. His writing aims to inspire meaningful dialogue and advocate for policies that strengthen families and empower individuals.