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A 2017 study by the Rockefeller Institute of Government found that traditional blue states like Connecticut ($15,643), Massachusetts ($13,582), New Jersey ($13,137), New York ($12,820), and California ($10,510), contributed significantly more in federal taxes, per citizen, than traditional red states like Mississippi ($5,740), West Virginia ($6,349), Kentucky ($6,626), and South Carolina ($6,665).
Not only do some states contribute more to the federal budget than others, but some also receive less from the federal government in return. On average, each of our 50 states receives about $1.14 from the federal government for every tax dollar they send to Washington.
This is why our federal government runs a deficit every year. The traditional red states mentioned above, however, receive more — much more. For example, Mississippi received $2.13 for every tax dollar it sends to Washington by way of federal taxes, West Virginia $2.07, Kentucky $1.90, and South Carolina $1.71.
For some large traditional blue states, California receives only 96 cents, Massachusetts 83 cents, Connecticut 82 cents, New York 81 cents, and New Jersey 74 cents for every tax dollar they sent to Washington. The discrepancy is significant.
In a 2020 update from the Rockefeller Institute, the disparity between traditional blue and red states is even more significant, especially for the state of New York, Republicans' favorite target when it comes to budgets, taxes, and spending.
“New York continues to spend more in (federal) taxes than it received back. In 2018, we estimate $22 billion, which is larger than the next two states. Over the past four years, New York taxpayers have given $116 billion (an average of over $29 billion annually) more to the federal government than they received back in federal spending” the report states.
In fact, New York contributes more revenue to the federal budget than any state in the nation. Other blue states, such as New Jersey, comes in second place, Massachusetts third, Connecticut fourth, and Colorado fifth.
If anything, it's the blue states that are subsidizing bad behavior.