Dances with [Deepseek] Robots
Washington State doesn't need Washington DC
[This image generated by ChatGPT based on the text below]
Recreational weed is taxed here at 37% + 6.5% sales tax. Walk in any public space and inhale the tax revenue. It was 555.4 million in 2021. Not a bad start. We don’t even have state income tax, just a lot of shitty regressive taxes. Imagine if we started making the tech companies here pay taxes instead of receiving subsidies.
Like California, we pay MORE into federal coffers than we receive. While the tyrants torment and antagonize the blue states, I wouldn’t say they can fucking afford to.
I asked Deepseek about this next bit. Avert your eyes if you cannot handle AI-generated text I never claimed to write. Not every random question I have requires an entire write-up from me to stroke my ego. Dances with Robots are some of my most popular articles, perhaps because I am forthright about it.
The relationship between the tax revenue that Washington State contributes to the federal government and the subsidies or federal funding it receives is complex and involves various factors such as federal taxes paid by residents and businesses, federal spending in the state, and grants for programs like Medicaid, transportation, and education.
Key Points:
Federal Taxes Paid by Washington State: Residents and businesses in Washington State pay federal taxes, including income taxes, payroll taxes, and corporate taxes. These contributions go into the federal budget.
Federal Funding Received by Washington: The state receives federal funds for programs like Medicaid, infrastructure projects, education, defense (due to military bases and contractors like Boeing), and other grants.
Net Balance: Some states pay more in federal taxes than they receive in federal spending (often referred to as "donor states"), while others receive more than they contribute. Washington State has historically been a "donor state," meaning it contributes more in federal taxes than it receives in federal spending.
Recent Data (Estimates):
According to a 2020 report by the Rockefeller Institute of Government, Washington State is one of the states that pays more in federal taxes than it receives in federal spending. For example:
In 2018, Washington State paid approximately $54.6 billion in federal taxes.
It received about $39.5 billion in federal spending.
This results in a net contribution of roughly $15.1 billion to the federal government.
Factors Influencing the Balance:
High-Income Population: Washington has a significant number of high-income earners (e.g., tech industry workers) who pay substantial federal income taxes.
Military and Defense Spending: Washington receives significant federal funding due to military bases and defense contractors like Boeing.
Medicaid and Social Programs: Federal spending on social programs like Medicaid also contributes to the funds received by the state.
Conclusion:
Washington State typically pays more in federal taxes than it receives in federal subsidies or spending, making it a net contributor to the federal budget. However, the exact figures vary yearly based on economic conditions, federal policies, and state needs. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult reports from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Rockefeller Institute, or the Washington State Office of Financial Management.