New Yorkers delivered $24 billion more in tax payments to Washington than the state got back in federal spending, according to a new report.
That means for every dollar New York taxpayers sent to the feds, only 90 cents came back in federal assistance in fiscal year 2017, state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli found.
New York was one of 11 states that sent more to Washington than it received. Only New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut fared worse while New Mexico got the best return.
“The state relies on the federal government for a third of its annual budget, but the imbalance of tax dollars remains. New Yorkers deserve to be treated more fairly in the federal budget,” DiNapoli said.
New York’s balance of payments with Uncle Sam varies from year to year, but has consistently remained on the negative side.
But the latest shortfall was better than in FY 2016 — when New York received only 84 cents for every dollar sent to DC.
New York’s balance sheet improved, in part, thanks to greater federal assistance under the Affordable Care Act/ObamaCare, DiNapoli said.
The report said New York sent the federal government $250 billion but received $225.7 billion back.
Federal spending in New York included $140.5 billion in direct payments for individuals for programs such as Social Security and Medicare; $66.5 billion in grants; $11 billion in procurements and $7.4 billion in wages and salaries.
States with lower-income residents and higher poverty received more from the federal government than they generated in tax payments.