Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025
Does Oklahoma rely on states such as California for federal tax dollars that fund education and healthcare?
Oklahoma relies on federal funding for its public programs, and of the $4.67 trillion in taxes collected by the federal government in fiscal year 2023, 12.2% came from California–one of the minority of states that sent more funds to the government than it received.
Nearly half of Oklahoma’s 2023 governmental fund revenue, the majority of which was spent on healthcare and education, is comprised of federal funds. Oklahoma ranks No.7 in reliance on federal funds, which comprise more than 43% of all governmental expenditure.
Oklahoma is a top recipient of federal funds, having received $18 billion more than it sent. Twenty-nine percent of the $4.67 trillion in federal revenue came from the nation’s three most populous states–California, Texas, and New York–which also had the three highest negative balances between federal funds received and sent.
Oklahoma also ranks low in federal revenue per capita
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- USA Facts Which states contribute the most and least to federal revenue?
- State of Oklahoma Annual Comprehensive Financial Report - 2023
- Oklahoma Watch Oklahoma No. 7 in Reliance on Federal Funds
- Google Doc States Federal Revenue Per Capita Fiscal Year 2023
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Oklahoma Watch is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) corporation that produces in-depth and investigative journalism as a public service for the benefit of all Oklahomans. Through investigative, fact-driven journalism, we dig deep and examine significant issues facing our state. Our work engages all Oklahomans, amplifies the discussion of important issues and leads to change. We help develop the journalists and journalism of the future.
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