It helps to offset some of the egregiously high taxes in typical liberal enclaves such as California, New York and Massachusetts. OF COURSE it’s a sacred cow!
Don't forget Illinois. These states use the high income tax to instill their ubber liberal social /sanctuary programs. Programs the recipients then transplant when they move to more conservatively run Red states.
Exactly. Here on Long Island the local govts and school districts justify their high taxes by telling us we will get 25 to 33 percent back after deductions. And for most that is true. One of the realities that Dems never admit is that deductions for local and state taxes are in reality federal monies going directly to state and local govt. Meaning that NY, Ca et al actually receive far more monies from the feds than they claim to. And that the argument that these states send more money to Washington than they receive in return is totally bogus.