by 
The Curious Bag
-
Benjamin Franklin once said that the only things in life that were certain were death and taxes. What purpose do taxes serve, and more specifically, since the federal government taxes us already, why do the states levy their own taxes?
Purpose of Taxes, Broadly Speaking
In general, taxes must pay for any service provided by the government. These include roads, the military, police, schools and prisons.
Education
One of the major tax expenditures in many states is the public school system. For example, in Texas, 44 percent of the budget is spent on education, more than any other single category.
Health
Another major budget item in many states is health care. The State of California, for example, spends $25 billion out of its $84 billion budget on health care.
Courts, Police and Prisons
A third major source of spending on the state level is the full range of law enforcement services, from the police to the prisons. The State of California, for example, spends $8 billion on corrections and rehabilitation.
Business and Economic Development
A major budget item in many states is spending on policies intended to subsidize and support businesses in the state. The State of Texas, for example, spends 12.2 percent of its budget on policies intended to promote "Business and Economic Development."
Source:
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC