Fact Check: "Kentucky receives $1.50 back for every $1 sent to Washington."
What We Know
The claim that "Kentucky receives $1.50 back for every $1 sent to Washington" has been referenced in various political discussions, notably by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in 2013. According to PolitiFact, Christie stated that Kentucky received $1.51 for every dollar sent to Washington based on data from the Tax Foundation from 2005. This data indicated that Kentucky's return on federal tax dollars had increased over the years, moving from $1.06 in 1981 to $1.51 in 2005.
More recent analyses have shown varying figures for Kentucky's return on federal spending. For instance, a 2023 report indicated that Kentucky received approximately $1.50 back for every dollar paid in federal taxes (WVNS). Other sources have reported even higher returns, such as $3.35 for every dollar paid in taxes (WalletHub).
Analysis
The claim that Kentucky receives $1.50 back for every dollar sent to Washington is supported by multiple sources, although the specific figures can vary depending on the year and methodology used. The original claim from Chris Christie was based on data from 2005, which is somewhat dated. However, the more recent figures from 2023 still support the notion that Kentucky receives a substantial return on its federal tax contributions.
The Tax Foundation's data, which Christie referenced, is generally considered reliable, as it is a well-regarded organization that analyzes tax policy. However, it is important to note that the data is not always updated frequently, which can lead to discrepancies over time. For example, the 2023 data from WVNS aligns closely with Christie's claim, indicating Kentucky's return remains around $1.50.
On the other hand, reports from WalletHub and other sources suggest that Kentucky's return could be as high as $3.35, which raises questions about the consistency of these figures. While these numbers indicate a high level of federal dependency, they also highlight the variability in reporting and analysis methodologies.
Conclusion
The claim that "Kentucky receives $1.50 back for every $1 sent to Washington" is True based on multiple sources, including recent data. While the exact figure may vary slightly depending on the source and year of the analysis, the general consensus supports the idea that Kentucky receives significantly more in federal funding than it contributes in taxes.
Sources
- Chris Christie claims Kentucky gets more than twice back ... PolitiFact
- Here's how much each state depends on federal money WVNS
- Which states contribute the most and least to federal ... USA Facts
- The States That Are Most Reliant on Federal Aid MoneyGeek
- Washington is one of the least federally dependent states ... Kitsap Sun
- WalletHub: KY ranks No. 2 in most federally dependent states Kentucky.com
- Most & Least Federally Dependent States in 2025 WalletHub
- Kentucky is Second Most Dependent State on Federal Money WKYU FM
