July 9, 2008
"Data: NJ last in return on federal tax dollar"
Federal data shows New Jersey gets less from Washington for each dollar in federal taxes paid than any other state.
The return is 61 cents per dollar.
New Jersey has long been among the bottom three states in returns.
Tax Foundation spokesman Bill Ahern tells The Record of Bergen County the system punishes high-income states like New Jersey.
But Jon Shure, president of the liberal Trenton think tank New Jersey Policy Perspective says it's just a function of New Jersey having a high income and a lower need than other states.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dick Zimmer has criticized incumbent Democrat Frank Lautenberg for not bringing back enough money during his 24 years in Washington.