State spending has skyrocketed — but where has the money gone?

Government spending per capita is skyrocketing. And interestingly, Americans aren’t moving to the states that spend the most — they’re leaving them.

Seven of the 10 states that spend the most per capita have lost population to other states since 2020. And eight of these ten voted Democrat in the last election.

On the other hand, 10 out of the 10 states that spend the least per resident gained population from other states. Nine of those 10 voted Republican in the last presidential election.

On a federal level, the U.S. population grew by 6 percent in the last decade. But inflation-adjusted federal spending grew by 40 percent.

Meanwhile, states like Illinois, California, and Minnesota have had runaway spending growth over the last decade.

California is a clear example. Its population grew by only 0.4 percent, whereas the number of state employees grew by 24.5 percent, and inflation adjusted state spending grew by 48 percent. Where is the money going? Good question.

California highways  rank 47th and 48th in rural and urban pavement conditions, respectively. When it comes to education, only 25 percent of 8th graders performed at or above the math proficiency level on the last national report card.

California has spent $37 billion on homelessness since 2019, but homelessness has increased by about 20 percent during that period. California has also spent $15 billion on a high speed rail project but has laid no track.  

Meanwhile, California has experienced negative net........

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