SCHIP Arithmetic

Ryan Avant calls out South Dakota Senator John Thune's rationale for voting against SCHIP:

“Low-cost, efficient states such as South Dakota… end up subsidizing higher costs in inefficient states,” complained Thune during the Senate debate.

Low cost? Efficient? Honestly? Let’s refresh Senator Thune’s memory on the status of net federal spending per tax dollar across the states. According to some reports I found using the google, it seems that South Dakota is a net recipient of federal money. In fact, it’s one of the ten largest spenders relative to its tax take in the country; South Dakotans enjoy about $1.50 worth of federal spending in their state for each $1 they send to Washington. No wonder stuff there is low cost!