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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho ranks in the top half of states with the highest dependence on federal dollars, according to a new study.
The Idaho Statesman reports (bit.ly/1lhSniv) the Gem State is ranked 31st in the nation for dependence on the federal government, with a higher ranking meaning more dependency.
That means Idaho's reliance on government funds is higher than every neighboring state except for Wyoming, which comes in at a national ranking of 43rd, according to the study released last week by personal finance website WalletHub. The study examined states' return on federal taxes, federal funding as a percentage of state revenue and number of federal employees per capita.
Only 20 states depend more on money from the government than Idaho. Delaware was ranked as the least-dependent state, while Mississippi and New Mexico tied for the most-dependent spot.
Although federal money makes up more than 35 percent of Idaho's total revenue, Idahoans aren't forking over the most in taxes: The state gets back $1.40 for every dollar its residents pay in federal taxes. WalletHub ranked Idaho 29th in the nation for the percentage of federal dollars it gets versus the taxes it pays.
Those federal dollars flow to citizens for Social Security payments and federal salaries as well as to the state government to address issues like highway upkeep. The Idaho National Laboratory and Mountain Home Air Force Base also frequently benefit from government money.
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Information from: Idaho Statesman, http://www.idahostatesman.com
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