Politics
Politics

Georgia gets way more than it gives in federal tax dollars

Morning dew on flowers at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Monday, March 28, 2016. BRANDEN CAMP/SPECIAL
Morning dew on flowers at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Monday, March 28, 2016. BRANDEN CAMP/SPECIAL
By James Salzer
Oct 3, 2017

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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About the Author

James Salzer has covered state government and politics in Georgia since 1990. He previously covered politics and government in Texas and Florida. He specializes in government finance, budgets, taxes, campaign finance, ethics and legislative history

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