OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA | How they fare

Here’s how the two states in Vindicator coverage area fared under the federal government’s system of taxing and spending in 2005, according to figures from The Associated Press:

Ohio: Federal taxes paid per person averaged $8,442, and the state received $6,790 in federal funds per person, for a return of 80 cents on each dollar.

Pennsylvania: Per person, the commonwealth sent $7,665 to the federal government in taxes and got back $8,021 per person, a return of $1.05 on each dollar paid out.

Sources: Census Bureau, Internal Revenue Service