State Expenditure: Texas and Massachusetts Comparison

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Introduction

Texas and Massachusetts are two states in the US whose roles in the national economy cannot be ignored. They make significant contributions to the national economy and political landscape. Taxation and government spending are two of the most important elements that determine election and national debate in the US (“Official General Election Results for United States President” 3). The case applies to the two states. To this end, it is noted that opinion-makers in Texas and Massachusetts have divergent views on the economy. The sharp divide is especially evident with respect to the fiscal budget.

The author of the current essay evaluates some of the economic and political perspectives held by leaders in Texas and Massachusetts. Three major issues are discussed. In the first instance, a comparison is made between the two states with respect to local budgets and the preferences of the residents. The second issue relates to the political perspectives associated with the two regions.

In this regard, opinions on government spending and taxation are discussed. For many years, the number of elements in the national economy has determined how voters exercise their roles. Taxation and government spending is one of them. Finally, the author compares state spending, tax revenue per capita, medical healthcare cover, and spending per capita. Other economic issues compared include welfare programs, education spending, and unemployment benefits.

Texas and Massachusetts: A Comparative Analysis of Economic Preferences among the Citizens

Massachusetts is home to an estimated 6.3 million people (United States Census Bureau 23). Texas, on the other hand, has approximately 27.6 million residents. The two states hold differing opinions on the political front. In this regard, citizen preferences determine the election and removal from office of an individual. To a large extent, the political and economic values held by a person seeking an elective post determine their possibilities of getting elected (Fisher 82).

For instance, when the electorate seeks tax cuts and increased spending, an official who holds similar views is likely to be elected into office (Internal Revenue Service 5). Various aspects of American public life are largely determined by economic preferences on the part of the citizens. Statistics from in the country indicate that in both states, economic preferences touch on spending on healthcare, education, and other public services.

Preferences for Government Spending in Texas and Massachusetts

Government spending can be evaluated from the perspective of elections. Statistics pertaining to election results and voting patterns show that Texas is a predominantly conservative state (“Official General Election Results for United States President” 7). In American society, conservative voters largely identify with military spending and other infrastructural expenses. On the other hand, Massachusetts is a liberal society. Most liberals identify with the Democratic Party, prefer spending on healthcare and other welfare initiatives. In this regard, the government expenditure, in the two states, varies depending o the political mood.

A previously mentioned, citizen preferences are reflected in the voting patterns of a given area. Leaders who occupy elective posts are drawn from the pool of individuals subscribing to specific values (Fisher 45). The policies formulated by such leaders are usually in consonance with what their parties and supporters are promoting at the federal level (United States Census Bureau 8). In this regard, government spending is determined by public opinion.

In both states, there is a consensus that public expenditure needs to be reduced. However, the point of divergence is with respect to the avenues of expenditure for the remaining funds. For instance, most of the citizens in Texas prefer government spending to be channeled to military and immigration reforms (Internal Revenue Service 3). On the other hand, Massachusetts residents are of the opinion that government spending should focus on welfare initiatives.

The citizens are in support of such projects as health insurance and social security (Fisher 99). They are convinced that spending on military and immigration has little or no impact on the welfare of the citizens. Consequently, it emerges that public preferences are the main factors behind the direction taken by state elections in the respective states. Statistics pertaining to voting patterns create a clear image of how the electorate’s preferences determine winners and losers in any election (“Official General Election Results for United States President” 8).

The just-concluded ‘mid-term’ elections provide an insight into the role of personal choices in relation to political processes. For example, in the Texas gubernatorial race, the governor championed for reduced public spending on welfare issues. The Republican Party’s policies were against increased funding to immigration reforms. In Massachusetts, the state elections were decided on the basis of the citizens’ preference for the Republican governor.

Massachusetts is a predominantly blue state. As a result, the election of a Republican governor sends a message that the priorities put in place in relation to government spending are not in agreement with the demands of the people. Consequently, opinions on tax and public spending in Texas and Massachusetts are largely similar (Fisher 45).

A Comparison of State Expenditure in Texas and Massachusetts

State budgets are spent on a number of items. The various expenditure options for the two states are outlined as follows:

State Spending

Texas has a higher overall state spending compared to Massachusetts. Official government records indicate that during the 2014 financial year, the latter spent $90,464. On its part, the former spent $249912 (NASBO 1).

Tax Revenue per Capita

The tax revenue per capita in Massachusetts has always been higher than that in Texas. Records indicate that the trend has persisted since 1977. Currently, the figures stand at $4,342 for Massachusetts and $3,321 for Texas (NASBO 3).

Spending on Medicaid

It is another major public expenditure. Interestingly, Texas has a higher spending rate on this vote compared to Massachusetts. Presently, the spending is at 6% and 3.8%, respectively (Kaiser Family Foundation 3).

Spending on Education

Massachusetts spends more on education compared to Texas. Estimates stand at $13368 and $8654, respectively (NASBO 6).

Unemployment Benefits

Texas spends 3% of the state budget on unemployment benefits, while Massachusetts spends 5.2% on the same (NASBO 3). From this analysis, it is clear that Massachusetts spends more on welfare compared to Texas.

Conclusion

Texas and Massachusetts provide a clear picture of state expenditure with respect to the various items prioritized in the budget. What emerges from this paper is that state spending is determined by public interests (Internal Revenue Service 3).

The figures in section 4 of this paper suggest that most government expenditures in both states are determined by initiatives revolving around public interests like education and healthcare. Consequently, an evaluation of economic indicators should focus on issues to do with citizens’ preferences in relation to spending. The reason is that such opinions are important determinants of political and economic developments in any state.

Works Cited

Kaiser Family Foundation. 2015 State Health Facts. Web.

Fisher, Ronald. State and Local Public Finance. 3rd edn. 2007. London: Thomson South-Western. Print.

NASBO 2012. Taxes and Revenue. Web.

Internal Revenue Service. 2011 Data Book. Web.

Official General Election Results for United States President. 2008. Web.

United States Census Bureau. State Government Tax Collections. 2014. Web.

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