‘Chase Us Out’: New York Tax Policies Driven by ‘Spite,’ Says Rosanna Scotto

In a wide-ranging panel discussion, television personality Rosanna Scotto and former GOP National Spokesperson Elizabeth Pipko accused Democratic leaders in New York of pursuing tax policies designed to punish success, warning that the approach could drive residents and wealth away from the state.

“They are holding down the fort right now because I think they want to chase us out — it’s a fight for our money,” Scotto said. “All of a sudden, if you are doing well they want to tax you. It’s not even that they need it, they just want to spend it.”

Scotto specifically criticized proposals from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’ administration, noting a plan to tax income above $750,000. She warned that her own mother would relocate to Dallas if such a policy took effect.

“I told my sister, my mom got a bit — if anything happened to her, if it goes into effect, she’s moving to Dallas,” Scotto said. “Oh no, she’s not. My mother is moving in with you.”

Pipko framed the debate as a broader ideological battle over wealth redistribution, arguing that left-leaning leaders fail to understand basic economic principles.

“The problem is — and I was taught this as a little girl — there are opportunity costs to everything,” Pipko said. “Some of our leaders here on the left don’t believe that. They don’t understand — they started the economics class and never got to graduate.”

Pipko pointed to international data to contrast wealth generation in different regions, noting that high-net-worth individual growth in Indonesia reached 82% and Poland 63%, while Western European nations were absent from the list of top wealth generators. “They are not generating any kind of wealth,” she said.

The panel also discussed the ethics of inherited wealth, with Scotto noting that some wealthy individuals, including musician Sting, have said leaving children so much money that they do not need to work “is a form of abuse.”

“I heard from others as well who are deciding, ‘I’m only giving my kids this much,’” Scotto said. “By the way, only giving my kids this much is a lot — several million dollars — so they will be okay, they have a nice cushion, because they want their kids to go out and work and feel valued that they created and made something of their lives, not just were handed it.”

Pipko, who described herself as the daughter of two immigrants, rejected criticism of younger generations’ work ethic while emphasizing personal responsibility.

“I think you are wrong — I think you should take on our generation,” Pipko said. “I was raised by two immigrants who reminded me every single day: you can be as successful as you want, as wealthy and charitable as you want as an individual. But too many people my age have forgotten it’s a personal responsibility to make that happen.”

Later in the discussion, Scotto shared concerns about declining marriage and birth rates, describing current demographic trends as potentially “suicidal” for societies that fail to replace their populations. She noted that in 1975, 91% of women were married by age 30, compared to just 26% today.

Scotto attributed part of the problem to dating culture shaped by technology. “Some of the men — they say some are always thinking they are one swipe away from something better, so they are not committed,” she said, referring to feedback from matchmakers.

Pipko offered a different view: “The way I’ve read it, the guys are just like one swipe from being happy — the women set the bar too high.”

Scotto, who said she met her husband at age 21, advised putting phones down, starting conversations, and finding community through activities like church or sports. Pipko, who met her husband while jogging in 2016, agreed: “Sports are the solution to a lot of problems.”

Despite the criticisms of current policies, Scotto ended on a note of gratitude and optimism.

“I start every morning with a thank you — get out of bed at 4:30 a.m.,” she said. “Some days it’s hard, but I say thank you for my house and my family and this important job I have. It is important to trick your brain into positive thinking, and it emanates out of your body.”