More than 222,000 taxpayers and their families left the state of Washington between 2021–2022, amounting to a net loss of nearly 19,000 taxpayers, accounting for the influx of new families during that same period. This exodus trend represents a loss of more than $1.6 billion in taxable income, according to recently released IRS data. Washington’s net loss of taxpayers between 2021–2022 was the ninth worst in the nation.

That’s a notable shift in the story of the Evergreen State, and all of this begs the question: Why are families fleeing Washington?

Certainly economics play a role. “I don’t blame Jeff Bezos or any other person for doing what’s right financially for themselves and their families. I wish he had stayed here, but the bad tax policies of the [Gov. Jay Inslee] administration chased him away,” state Republican Party chair Rep. Jim Walsh said. “A capital gain tax is always going to drive capital to friendlier places: Florida, the Cayman Islands, Switzerland.”

Some Washingtonians fled to Idaho, too, as families flee liberal bastions on the West Coast with high taxation. Washington politicians often point toward the fact that there is no state income tax as justification to skyrocket taxation rates in other areas, such as our capital gains tax, which, at 7%, is one of the highest in the nation.

There is currently an initiative (I-2109) backed by Let’s Go Washington that would eradicate the state’s capital gains tax if passed by voters in November. Other initiatives that support families and all citizens will be on the ballot, too, including these below in the graphic.

Yet the concern is far deeper than making sure the government has enough money. That’s not the primary concern, nor is it merely economic. The primary concern is a deeper spiritual foundation and moral direction, and the government’s profound failure to support and defend faith-and-families. Harmful economics is a by-product of moral and spiritual withering. The perennial truth bears repeating for the fate of any state and nation: Economic collapse follows moral collapse, and moral collapse follows spiritual collapse. “All that is not God is death,” summarizes the theologian George MacDonald. The fate of a state, then, rests upon its faith, which in turn, should support families as the bedrock of a society rather than undermine them.

The government is not supporting families. A cursory overview of Washington’s political climate reveals that the exodus is likely due to a combination of the following factors: high taxation rates, a lack of morality and traditional values in public policy, a failing education system, the lasting impact of COVID-19 mandates, and lack of affordable housing for young families. Families with children in the public education system doubtlessly have immense concerns over the teaching of LGBT history in schools, the policies that allow teachers and administrators to hide students’ mental health struggles and “gender transitions” from their parents, and even policies that allowchildren to undergo abortions without parental knowledge or consent. Washington has become a sanctuary state for transgender surgeries, abortions, and illegal immigration. 

That these factors are indeed the cause of Washington’s out-migration problem is reaffirmed by looking at the state that saw the highest influx of residents during the same 2021-2022 period – Florida. “IRS data showed that Florida added 245,334 residents – the most of any state – for a net increase of nearly $36 billion in adjusted gross income due to domestic migration,” the Center Square reported.

Florida’s political climate upholds economic liberty and traditional values: no income tax, no property tax, no estate tax, no inheritance tax, no gift tax, no vax-and-mask mandates, no LGBT indoctrination in schools or policies that keep secrets from parents, no state-funded DEI programs, a new constitutional carry law, and a strong commitment to protecting the lives of the unborn. Florida ranks #1 in education, #1 in economics, and #13 in crime. 

So, what does Florida have that Washington is missing? Conservative policies that support faith, family, and freedom. If we want to see the Evergreen State thrive and attract new residents who will boost our economy and contribute to our communities, we need your help to push the conservative movement forward. 

• Want to Change Our Culture? 500,000 DEFENDER Prayer Warriors Are Needed.
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• Want to Change Washington’s Laws? 450,000 DEFENDER Signers of Initiatives & Referendums Are Needed.
• Want Lasting Change? 1.7 Million DEFENDER Voters for Conservative Candidates Are Needed.

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