A State-by-State "Pain Index"

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I think it is funny how spending cuts are pain. Only to the state employee we did not need anyway. I have not noticed any decrease in the number of state or local employees standing around. States should cut when taxes are too high or when we have a down turn that decreases tax dollars. The only pain is when they ask for more money(taxes). The less dollars goverment has the better the off the people will be.

Richard of GA 11:29AM October 19, 2010

America....Wake-up!
Government has better pay and benefits.
Most have 50 - 100% of base pay for retirement packages. How many in the Private Sector have this perk!
Most are paying a few dollars to $150/month for health care, with the average under $100. Most private sector employees are paying $300 - $500/month.
Base pay on average from studies indicate most govt sector jobs avg 25% more than the private sector.
They truly do not know how to buy or what true costs are for goods and services. You can't find that with 3 - 5 bids, true cost analysis needs to take place. Govts do not understand the benefits of a solid Purchasing organization.
As tax payers, we should be demanding that the govt employees take home pay and benefits are aligned with the Private Sector.
When will we wake up and cut Fannie MAE and Freddie MAC. Both money losers.
I hope the Governor of NJ keeps waking up America, as he has did an excellent job citing the wasteful spending, i.e. increases in Teachers and O/H, when student population has dropped!
Schools, cities, states do not have a clue on how to buy goods and services.
The overhead in govt operations is beyond anything in the private sector. We do not need increased taxes, we need right sizing and leaders like Dave Cote from Honeywell to start shaking things up!

Mark of MI 7:02AM September 24, 2010

The figure for Vermont must only be a survey of wealthy out of state second homeowners ( with additional tax breaks obviously ) that summer in Vermont ...because it sure the heck isn't from the locals !

Patricia of VT 10:21PM September 23, 2010

North Dakota ,BURR , it is great this is happening to a stat that was almost down to nothing , this has happened since the 80's when I left the state because there was not much for jobs and the wages were very low,(minimum wage for everything) and that will not support a family very well,This state should run the country because they are the only state that is not broke and is still moving up in this economy, keep up the good work North Dakota

doug of NM 7:45PM September 23, 2010

Like the young man from North Dakota, I left my home because there was no future for young people in Eastern Oregon. Now Oregon is in deep dodo thanks to environmentalist and growing government.
Lumber, mining, and other industry should be a priority but they are not. EPA needs to be sent packing, back to Washington DC and peddle their pasta to Mafia in the White House and Congress.
Same goes for Washington State although it appears from the stats above, Washington is in much better condition than Oregon; but that is not saying much.
Still Government is too big and abusive. Industry has too many limitations, and the environmentalists are given too much power to push their agenda's in the face of poverty.
Yes, the environment is important but when you take a plant like the Cement Plant at Durkee, Oregon that employees 116 workers, and after just spending $22 Million to cut emissions 90% and the Environmentalists push for another 90% through the EPA, who can afford this type of BS.
Now, North Dakota and Eastern Montana has all the oil we need but we are damaging the Gulf of Mexico and I ask, for what reason. Canada is pumping all the oil they need from the same huge quantity of oil under ground in Alberta. The same oil we should be pumping in North Dakota and Montana to cut the cost of Gas and Oil products for the Citizens of this country.
I don't believe the figures above as I worked for Government for 20 years and leaned that figures tell the story people want to tell and that is not necessarily the truth. Show me wealth creation and circulation of wealth and I will believe then as the truth will become evident.

Michael of WA 4:34PM September 04, 2010

I live here. Our taxes are FAR from being in the minus. NO WAY we are nickled and dime every time you turn around. It is so costly to live here that only the transits can afford it. All the life time Ct. families and older people are having to move to other states. I don't know who did this survey (reliable) but it is dead wrong. If you do think you want to move to Ct. don't unless you have ALOT of money.

Lynn of CT 8:29PM August 07, 2010

I am from North Dakota, but don't live there anymore. When I graduated from college, there wasn't many jobs there for a finance major. Now, the state's economy is booming; they have a surplus, actually. And a healthy one at that. I say hats off to them -- for a state that is often forgotten about, they are doing a lot of things right. GO NORTH DAKOTA!

RedLin Murphy of MN 11:01PM August 04, 2010

Spending cuts should be a pleasure instead of pain! Is your bias for "government spending is a good thing" showing? The "Total "Pain" Per Person" should be calculated New Taxes plus New Spending!!!!

Scott of WI 5:46PM July 21, 2010

Sorry to inform you that PA did raise the property tax. They get around going to the legislature by changing the millage fees. Our tax went up over $250 just this year!!! It's all those "hidden" taxes.

Pat of PA 12:32PM July 21, 2010

The states that are reducing taxes and spending are the ones who get the medals here. Increasing taxes hurts, as does increasing services during difficult times. So, I tip my hat to Alaska, Wyoming, Louisiana, Alabama, and the others who are making the tough choices to get back to economic health.

Randy of OR 10:54AM July 20, 2010