Georgia is one of 37 states that a new report says gets more federal spending than its residents pay in taxes.

The report from the Rockefeller Institute of Government, the public policy research arm of the State University of New York, ranked  Georgia's balance sheet in the top half of states, although well below the leaders, most of which were Southern states.

Meanwhile, residents of some East Coast states, California and Texas pay more in taxes than their states receives in benefits, such as federal pay, social security and government contracts.

Federal spending is a common target of politicians during campaign season, and that will certainly continue with the federal debt topping $20 trillion. Some critics say President Donald Trump's plan to cut taxes for corporations and some individuals will further balloon the debt.

For more on the study, and why Georgia comes out ahead on federal spending, check out our story on myajc.com.

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(From left) State Election Board member Rick Jeffares, executive director James Mills, vice chair Janice Johnston and member Janelle King listen during an election board meeting at the Capitol in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. The board voted down a proposal to eliminate Georgia’s touchscreen voting system and switch to hand-marked paper ballots. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

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