Texas Governor To Impose Tariffs On Some NY Residents

Today, November 4, 2025, is election day for places around the United States. In the Capital Region we have several important elections taking place, including electing a new Mayor of Albany. However, all the eyes are on New York City and their race for mayor between Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa. As of right now Mamdani is the favorite, but many New Yorkers have said they'll leave the city if he is elected.

Where will these New Yorkers go if they don't get their way in the election today? There are obviously many options as we can move from state to state here in the United States without any issues. It turns out that some states aren't going to eb welcoming those NYC refugees with open arms.

Warning From Texas

Texas Governor Greg Abbott posted on his X account on Monday that anyone moving to Texas from NYC would be subject to a 100% tariff.

I am as confused by that as I am sure most of you are, too. I'm not quite sure how a tariff could be placed on a human being, but I was also not sure if a state governor has the power to create a tariff on anything.

Read More: Paid Time Off For Voting in New York

As it turns out, they can't. According to the official website from Congress, tariffs on good fall under the federal government, not the state ones.

The Constitution grants Congress the power to regulate foreign commerce, impose tariffs, and collect revenue. As discussed in this report, Congress has long enacted laws authorizing the President to adjust tariff rates on goods in certain circumstances.

If you were planning on leaving any part of New York after the elections take place, rest assured, no governor can prevent you from doing so or try to make you pay a fee to move.