4 ms·

>It'd be economically viable if what I pay in local/state versus federal taxes were flipped. It really wouldn't. I don't think there is a mechanism for making

by kd913 5y ago

>It'd be economically viable if what I pay in local/state versus federal taxes were flipped. It really wouldn't. I don't think there is a mechanism for making the above infrastructure sustainable short of tearing it down. In some places, the debt payments exceed total annual incomes for residents. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfQUOHlAocY&list=PLJp5q-R0lZ0_FCUbeVWK6OGLN69ehUTVa&index=4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfQUOHlAocY&list=PLJp5q-R0lZ...

undersuit 5y ago
I'm from Montana. The only thing keeping our infrastructure as good as it is is the current arrangement of payments. Our current political climate in the state would not raise taxes on residents to compensate for the costs of our developed lifestyle being shifted fully onto us. I think this does need to change, but I'm the minority here. Most people "need" to drive because of the weather.
- karmelapple 5y ago
  Here's a fun interactive map showing which states pay out more than they receive: https://rockinst.org/issue-areas/fiscal-analysis/balance-of-payments-portal/ https://rockinst.org/issue-areas/fiscal-analysis/balance-of-... Note that 2020 is an outlier year due to COVID, so probably best to look at 2019 or before. In 2019, 9 states paid more than they got back. And wow do some states make a lot of money: Virginia and Kentucky both have a per capita "more money than they take in" that's 3X that of Montana. But Montana still is raking in ~$4000 per capita than they pay out, whereas each Massachusetts resident sent out ~$2100. I grew up in North Dakota, so can I get a free day ski pass next time I come out west and swing by Montana? :)
surge 5y ago
That's absolutely my point though. If the local governments got the bulk of taxes instead of the federal government, they wouldn't need to apply for federal grants or special money to cover their debts and infrastructure.

by kd913 5y ago

undersuit 5y ago

I'm from Montana. The only thing keeping our infrastructure as good as it is is the current arrangement of payments. Our current political climate in the state would not raise taxes on residents to compensate for the costs of our developed lifestyle being shifted fully onto us. I think this does need to change, but I'm the minority here. Most people "need" to drive because of the weather.

karmelapple 5y ago
Here's a fun interactive map showing which states pay out more than they receive: https://rockinst.org/issue-areas/fiscal-analysis/balance-of-payments-portal/ https://rockinst.org/issue-areas/fiscal-analysis/balance-of-... Note that 2020 is an outlier year due to COVID, so probably best to look at 2019 or before. In 2019, 9 states paid more than they got back. And wow do some states make a lot of money: Virginia and Kentucky both have a per capita "more money than they take in" that's 3X that of Montana. But Montana still is raking in ~$4000 per capita than they pay out, whereas each Massachusetts resident sent out ~$2100. I grew up in North Dakota, so can I get a free day ski pass next time I come out west and swing by Montana? :)

surge 5y ago

That's absolutely my point though. If the local governments got the bulk of taxes instead of the federal government, they wouldn't need to apply for federal grants or special money to cover their debts and infrastructure.