I do not enjoy coming out of the bleachers in regards to two gentlemen that I respect. I am a numbers guy. Both Red and MC have correctly used their statistical references. California, New York, and Massachusetts have given more federal money than most states. Yes, California received more money in 2017 than payments. What about NY and MA? How does the inequity of CA receiving a surplus rank against other states in 2017?
Let's face facts. American has been running on a yearly deficit for a number of years. This is not a shot at any administration. It is obvious that the stronger northeastern states along with California and Texas may give larger numbers to the government for taxes. That hopefully is obvious. My question, after reading this blog, is whether the most taxed states (and in some eyes, key Democratic states) have gained an advantage? For 2017, the answer is no.
California did have a .5 billion surplus in 2017 for tax/benefit revenue. 40 states had this benefit in 2017. California was number 40. They had a plus $12 per resident tax/revenue advantage that year. Numbers 41 trough 50 had a negative number per resident. New York was #47 at -$1,792 per resident and Massachusetts was #48 at -$2,343 per resident.
If the premise is that the large Democratic states are supplying the most tax money to the government and are receiving excessive benefits, then California at #40 is guilty. At $12 per person. Montana is receiving $3,808 per person. Number 16 on the list. We are running a deficit. No, I will not blame any individual set of states. Things will get better when we reach fiscal responsibility. Again, not a shot, both parties have the need to spend money, hence the knee jerk reaction to spend money, though both parties are trying to say no.