Rick Perry to Phil Mickelson: Move to Texas

A day after professional golfer Phil Mickelson threatened to leave California because of the state’s burdensome taxes on high-income earners, Texas Governor Rick Perry urged Mickelson to relocate to Texas, like many Californians have done in recent years because of its better economic climate and lower taxes. Texas, unlike California, does not have an income tax.

“Texas is the home to liberty and low taxes,” Perry tweeted. “We would love to have you as well.”

Here is Perry’s tweet in more detail:

Hey Phil….Texas is home to liberty and low taxes…we would love to have you as well !!

As Breitbart Sports reported, Mickelson, at the conclusion of the Humana Challenge golf tournament in La Quinta, California on Sunday, said he would have to make some “drastic changes” in his career because California and the federal government raised the rates at which his income is taxed:

Last November, California voters approved of Proposition 30, which raised the state tax rate for those making more than $250,000. Californians who make over $1 million will now be hit with a 13.3% top tax rate, which is the highest of any state. Previously, those making over $1 million in California were hit with a 10.3% tax rate. Those making $250,000 to $300,000 a year will pay 10.3%, which is up from 9.3%. 

To avert the so-called fiscal cliff, Congress and President Barack Obama agreed to raise taxes on individuals and families making $400,000 and $450,000, respectively. Those in the top income bracket will now be hit with a 39.6% tax rate, up from 35%, at the federal level.  

“There are going to be some drastic changes for me because I happen to be in that zone that has been targeted both federally and by the state and, you know, it doesn’t work for me right now,” Mickelson said. “So I’m going to have to make some changes.”

The left-handed golfer was not specific about what those changes would be, but he indicated he was not sure if he could afford to live in California or play a full slate of golf tournaments if his income was going to be taxed at current rates. Mickelson said he may offer more specifics this weekend when he tees off at Torrey Pines this weekend–along with Tiger Woods, whose official residency is in Florida–for a PGA tour event near La Jolla, California.