Colorado pays more in federal taxes than it draws in benefits

In a story that should make Colorado Tea Partiers proud, it was revealed by The Daily Beast today that Colorado ranks 43rd in return on the dollar for federal taxes paid compared with benefits received.

In the years 2007-2009, Colorado sent $44.05 billion in taxes to Washington and got back $39.6 billion in federal spending, for a return of 90 cents on the dollar.

Mississippi led the pack, paying $11.06 billion and getting $31.27 billion, for a return of $2.83 on every dollar in taxes paid. At the rear was Delaware, paying $17.38 billion and getting $6.95 billion, for a return of 40 cents on the dollar.

Perhaps ironically, the states making out like thieves tend to vote Republican and those at the other end, like Delaware, tend more toward the left.