In the case of California specifically, the difference between federal taxes paid and federal money received represents about 7% of the state budget. Foreign a

In the case of California specifically, the difference between federal taxes paid and federal money received represents about 7% of the state budget. Foreign aid is about 1% of the federal budget, though. Why would California spend more? (Edit: Of course its budget might have to triple if it didn't get all that federal money, so there you go.)