Hawaii residents paid highest taxes in the nation in 2004

Associated Press ^ | February 8, 2006 | Associated Press

[BenLurkin]

Socialism will do that.

[conservative in nyc]

Wyoming, Connecticut, Minnesota and Delaware round out the top five states in tax receipts per person.

Wyoming?

[george76]

Education is the biggest budget item, consuming an average of 31 percent of state spending.

Public welfare, which includes Medicaid, comes in second at 24 percent.

Highways account for 6 percent of state spending and police protection just 1 percent.

[george76]

Wyoming receives tax money from oil, gas, coal...not from the citizens directly.

like Alaska gets "extraction fee" income from oil...

[FreePaul]

Didn't I see that the pineapple industry is closing down in Hawaii? Now we know why. I guess that we have room for them in Texas.

[Revolting cat!]

[conservative in nyc]

That's what I thought. But then why isn't Alaska higher up on the list?

[zakbrow]

Yeah, I would have thought of NY before Wyoming. We pay some hefty taxes here.

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

Wyoming?

Someone's gotta pay for treatment of those cowboys who get AIDS while rustling on Fudgepack Mountain...

[BIGLOOK]

I know....just complaining......

but these are 2004 figures and it's gotten worse.

The State of Hawaii has a surplus of $579 million from overtaxing for 2005. The legislature is debating a refund now....of $1 per taxpayer refund.
Hawaii's population is 1.2 million. About 2/3 of that pay taxes. Go figure.

[george76]

Many small businesses have left for the Mainland.

One would be crazy to stay in Hawaii for economic reasons if one could leave. Unless you are renting beach chairs to tourists...

The weather is great, but is that enough ?

The taxes are not only large, but there are indirect taxes or "unfunded mandates" like full health insurance coverage for part time staff.

Hawaii is wonderful to visit and they do have many nice people, but is that enough ?

Some say yes.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Tell that to the face of a real Wyoming resident, and you'll promptly receive a fist in reply.

[xcamel]

Go look at the chart they quoted... this story has more BS thant a natural fertilizer factory.

http://www.census.gov/govs/www/state.html

[george76]

Alaska, which gets much of it revenue from oil production, saw its state tax receipts drop 1 percent, to $2,035 per person.

Oil revenue helped Alaska spend $12,294 per person in 2004, far more than any other state.

[mylife]

What? Do they have some sort of sunshine tax out there or something?

[george76]

One should be able to grow almost anything in Hawaii...based upon the weather.

Labor can be a problem.

[Siena Dreaming]

We run a small business from our home here.

We have never wanted to employ people because the regulations are too onerous.

So far we're doing OK on our own.

[george76]

Best Wishes on running your small business at home.

Have the regualtions gotten worse over the recent years ?

Is Full health care Insurance required to be provided to any part time empolyee after 10 hours per week ?

Any other items ?

[BIGLOOK]

This is February 8th. The surplus will disappear shortly.
For the children, of course.