[neverevergiveup]

Your point is excellent, but a very big reason those people are being hurt in those states is because of the political leadership of those states - and the exhorbitant taxes they've levied on their constituents.

Taking California as an example, the state sales tax is 7.25%, and the top marginal state income tax is 13.3% - both highest in the nation. It's estimated (probably underestimated) that illegal immigration costs California ~$23 billion dollars/year. That's ~$600.00/year for every man, woman, and child in California, yet several cities and California politicians insist on giving sanctuary to illegals and even threatening to prosecute people who cooperate with the federal government. Total revenues in California in 2016 were around $120 billion. Of that ~$81.6 billion came from personal income tax. So, the cost of illegal immigration alone accounts for ~28% of the total state income tax collected annually.

I'm not dumping on immigrants, and definitely not blaming all of California's fiscal issues on illegals, but this is just one example of policy-based expenses that lead to higher taxes. The money has to come from somewhere, and that somewhere is taxes. Those Republicans running for seats in those states should campaign on lowering the tax burden in those states, and there are many ways to do this that are humane, fair, and maintain quality of life.

[Theodore R.]

Louisiana claims to have the highest state sales tax and would be disappointment if CA stole the title from them.

[SkyPilot]

Thank you. I agree of course. It is a state problem. But the Republicans are shooting the hostage in order to solve the crime. If you are a Conservative in New York, California, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, or other places, you got stabbed in the neck by the Tax Law.

Let's not minimize that. It is what it is.

I just have no patience now for people clutching their pearls about us losing the House this fall. WE TOLD THEM not to pass this crappy tax bill!!!! They did it anyway.