Billionaire Chooses Florida Over New York

In the battle for bragging rights, Florida gets a leg up with better weather, hotter chicks and no state tax

If you can’t pay ‘em, leave ‘em.

That has to be the thinking of billionaire B. Thomas Golisano, who is changing his home address to the Sunshine State from his native New York.

Give Florida a leg up in the “we’re better than you” war with NY. This is kind of like stealing a restricted free agent in sports.

Sure, the weather’s nicer, the girls might even be hotter, but Golisano’s address swap comes down to dollars and common sense.
New York income taxes cost him nearly $14,000 a day. Florida doesn’t have a state tax. Case closed.

The 67-year-old philanthropist from the Rochester area has long criticized the state's government and high taxes. He has run for governor three times and lost. He also owns the Buffalo Sabres.

After a speech Thursday night, Golisano told reporters he decided to change his residency after lawmakers increased taxes on wealthy New Yorkers in the new state budget.

The founder of the Penfield-based Paychex Inc. business services company owns a home in Naples. He also owns a home in the Rochester suburb of Mendon and one on nearby Canandaigua Lake.

Consider those places downgraded to vacation spots. Welcome home, Golisano and take that New York.  

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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