Note that in some states, and bigger states with less population, these figures get skewed. I'm pretty sure that MT, for example, gets alot of money for the federal highway system (look at infrastructure and transportation below, the national parks, the other Interior department-overseen federal lands, the national Bison Range, Indian Reservations, the Canadian border stations etc. Yes, Montanans get benefits from these things, but many others including travelers and truckers get benefit from the highway system. Many out of staters get benefit from national park system and some from federal lands. Native Americans are Montana residents, but reservations were set up and mostly overseen by the federal government and Montana doesn't have much say in that. I supposer MT residents get the benefit of the large ag subsidies.
And when stats are provided for benefits per resident, it looks like MT is getting a ton of net money.
"
Montana is heavily reliant on federal funding, which serves as a cornerstone of the state's economy and budget. In fiscal year 2024, the state received over $14.1 billion in obligated federal funds.
For every $1.00 Montana contributes in federal taxes, it receives approximately $1.40 in return.
Key Funding Categories (FY 2024/2025)
Federal grants account for roughly 43% of Montana's total annual state government revenue. The primary areas of support include:
| Category | Estimated Amount | Key Details |
| Social Security | ~$5.3 billion / year | Monthly benefits to over 156,000 households. |
| Healthcare (Medicaid) | ~$2.03 billion | Covers ~80% of the program's total cost in Montana. |
| Infrastructure & Transit | ~$1.04 billion | Highway planning, bridge construction, and grid resilience. |
| Education | ~$389 million | Includes $72M in Title funding for 398 school districts. |
| Agriculture | ~$575 million | Commodity programs, crop insurance, and disaster relief. |
| Public Lands (PILT) | ~$43.3 million | Payments in Lieu of Taxes for untaxable federal lands. |
Distribution of Funds
While the state government manages a large portion, federal money also flows directly to other entities:
- Local Governments: Receive an average of $361.3 million annually for housing, airports, and roads.
- Tribal Governments: Receive approximately $553.6 million per year for healthcare and resource management.
- Nonprofits: Receive an average of $134.4 million annually in contracts and grants."
All I can do is laugh.
A lot of states are on the take. Doesn’t really seem to register to a lot of people, honestly. Doesn’t change the, “We’d be better off if it slid into the ocean” comments drunk relatives love to make. 
