Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateALBANY — New York saw the steepest population decline in the nation over a one-year period ending in July, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau.The data reflect that while New York led the nation in population loss for a second consecutive year, politically conservative states of Florida and Texas continued to be among the leaders in population increases.Population loss emerged as one of the top issues during the gubernatorial campaign for U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-Long Island, who like many other Republicans has attributes the exodus to high taxes, increasing government regulation and spiking crime rates.Going to one of his core stump speeches, Zeldin explained that New Yorkers are "hitting their breaking point" and moving to other states "because their wallets, their safety, their freedom and the quality of their kids' education are under attack."Zeldin, who lost to Hochul by six points in the closest race for governor since 1994, had pledged to slash taxes, curb state spending and generate revenue by loosening regulation, especially around energy policies like natural gas fracking."