Sean Hannity pouts over Cuomo's 'not welcome in New York' remarks, vows to leave

Fox News host Sean Hannity said on Tuesday that he is leaving his native New York state because he is so offended and hurt by statements by New York's Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Conservative newspaper The Washington Times reported that Hannity made the announcement on his radio show.

The right-leaning talker was responding to statements made last week by Cuomo to New York Public Broadcasting in which he said that New Yorkers by and large do not adhere to far-right ideologies.

Cuomo told Capital Pressroom's Susan Arbetter that “extreme conservatives who are right-to-life, pro-assault-weapon, anti-gay” aren't welcome in his state.

"That's not who New Yorkers are," said Cuomo.

The remarks have touched off a firestorm of controversy on the right, but Hannity is the first major pundit to declare that he now intends to flee Cuomo's New York.

“Now I want to tell you something," Hannity fumed. "I was born and raised in New York. I want you to know that, and I can’t wait to get out of here. I really can’t. I don’t want to pay their 10-percent state tax anymore. I live in the second-highest property taxed county in the entire country in Nassau County. I can’t wait to sell my house to somebody who wants it. I can’t wait to pay no state income tax down in Florida or Texas. I haven’t decided yet, but I’m leaning Florida because I like the water and I like to fish.”

Furthermore, he seemed to take positive glee in the economic damage his departure might inflict.

He added, "Gov. Cuomo, I’m going to leave and I’m taking all of my money with me -- every single, solitary penny. And by the way governor, because I work here — there’s a whole bunch of people that work for me and benefit because I do two shows. And I guess maybe some of them will be out of work, governor. I’m sure you’ll take care of them.”

It remains to be seen whether Hannity will make good on his word or whether this is a tantrum like the one thrown by Rush Limbaugh in 2010, when he said he would leave the country if the Affordable Care Act made it through Congress.

Nearly four years later, Limbaugh has yet to make good on his threat.