Florida is taking its rivalry with New York straight to Times Square — and Mayor Zohran Mamdani is getting the credit.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce has launched a digital billboard at Broadway and West 43rd Street thanking Mamdani for helping send businesses, jobs and residents south to the Sunshine State.
“Thanks for the Jobs,” the billboard declares, part of the Chamber’s new “Free Enterprise Florida” campaign.
The business group is even dubbing Mamdani “Florida Economic Developer of the Year,” arguing that New York’s taxes, spending and regulations are making Florida increasingly attractive to companies and residents.
“Florida now has more people than New York, yet New York’s budget is more than twice the size of Florida’s. No wonder people are leaving,” Florida Chamber President and CEO Mark Wilson said.
The Chamber points to IRS migration data showing Florida gaining roughly $2.4 million in net taxable income every hour while New York loses about $1.1 million. It also says Florida is gaining a net 551 residents per day while New York loses 115.
Then there’s the tale of two budgets.
Florida’s state budget stands at roughly $117.6 billion, according to figures cited by the Chamber, compared with New York’s $277 billion. The group says New York City’s municipal budget alone is more than $8 billion larger than Florida’s entire state budget.
Florida also has no state personal income tax, while New York’s top state rate is 10.9%.
Wilson insists the stunt isn’t about declaring Florida the winner and New York the loser. Instead, he says it’s intended to make a broader case for lower taxes, lighter regulation and free enterprise.
“When states make it harder to build a business, investment and jobs do not disappear,” the Chamber said. “They move.”
And Florida plans to keep rubbing it in.
The Chamber says the campaign won’t stop in Manhattan, with additional locations expected to be targeted.
