Tri Cities loses 2.3 Billion in taxes.

Tri-Cities, Where Is Our $7,139 Going? 😡

Washington is the #3 DONOR STATE in the nation — we send WAY more in federal taxes to D.C. than we get back in services, infrastructure, cleanup, or support. Latest USAFacts data: a net loss of $7,139 per person every year!

For our Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Pasco, Richland — ~323,000 residents), that means $2.3 BILLION is drained from our local economy annually. That's $2.3 BILLION not recirculating here to help our families, farms, wineries, shops, and jobs!

Small businesses are getting crushed the hardest:

Mom-and-pop shops starved: This massive outflow means less money in customers' pockets, fewer local contracts, and reduced consumer spending — directly hitting restaurants, contractors, retail stores, and service businesses across the Mid-Columbia.

Higher taxes to fill the gap: With less federal money coming back, the state hikes sales, property, and B&O taxes. Small ops with thin margins pay the price — leading to higher costs, delayed expansions, or even closures.

Missed opportunities & relief: Fewer federal grants for SBA loans, drought/disaster aid (critical for our ag & wine country), or economic support. When times are tough, our local entrepreneurs get shortchanged compared to businesses in "recipient" states.

Meanwhile, Hanford cleanup remains underfunded (still billions short of legal milestones despite recent boosts), our roads/highways lag behind growth, and infrastructure projects stall — all while we subsidize other parts of the country!

$2.3 BILLION lost every year — that's not just numbers; it's lost jobs, higher costs, and struggling small businesses in OUR community.

The Tri-Cities is paying for the nation’s progress... but the nation isn't paying for our safety, growth, or success!

Time to demand fairness!

Ask your reps why we're subsidizing everyone else while our small businesses fight to survive.

For more facts, details, and ways to join the fight to end Washington's donor state status:

👉 https://www.repatriatewa.org/ (Repatriate Washington PAC – Educating voters & pushing for change!)

What do you think, Tri-Cities? Share if you're tired of this imbalance! 💪

#TriCities #SmallBusiness #EndDonorState #RepatriateWA