YAKIMA loses $1.8 Billion in taxes
🚨 Yakima Valley is paying a BIG price as part of Washington’s TOP DONOR STATE status! 🚨
Washington ranks 3rd nationally in net federal contributions — we send WAY more in taxes than we get back in spending. Latest USAFacts data shows a net loss of about $7,139 per person every year.
For the Yakima metro area (Yakima County/Valley, home to roughly 258,000–259,000 people), that means an estimated $1.8–1.9 BILLION leaves our local economy annually — money that could stay here supporting our farms, fixing irrigation/water issues, rural hospitals, schools, roads, and small businesses!
That's nearly $2 BILLION not recirculating in OUR community — instead, it's subsidizing other states while we face drought risks, ag challenges, housing needs, and budget strains.
Small Businesses & Ag Economy Feel It the Most
Yakima's backbone — family farms, orchards, food processors, local shops, contractors, and rural startups — get hit hardest:
Higher local taxes & fees to cover the federal shortfall: More reliance on sales, property, and other taxes squeezes small ops and ag businesses with thin margins already dealing with rising costs and weather risks.
Fewer federal grants & relief programs: Donor states like ours get less per capita for SBA loans, drought/disaster aid (huge for our farms!), USDA support, rural development grants, or recovery funds compared to "recipient" states.
Ripple effects on local spending & jobs: Less federal investment means fewer contracts, wages, and support for essential services — leading to tougher times for restaurants, retail, suppliers, and the whole ag supply chain in our community.
Extra pressure on rural health & infrastructure: Potential threats to Medicaid/funding hit rural hospitals (like in Toppenish/Sunnyside), clinics, and water projects hard, affecting workers and families.
Our hardworking farms and businesses generate real value for the state and nation, but we're acting like the nation's ATM while our own challenges (drought, workforce shortages, small business survival) go underfunded. Frustrating, especially in a region that feeds so much of America!
Want more facts, details, and ways to push for change? Check out Repatriate Washington PAC — a local group educating voters and fighting to end our donor state status:
👉 https://www.repatriatewa.org/
They nail it: Washington sends billions more than we receive — time to demand fairness for ALL parts of the state, including the Yakima Valley!
What do you think, Yakima? Time for more federal equity, or state-level solutions to help our farms and small businesses? Comment below! 💬 #YakimaValley #YakimaWA #WashingtonState #DonorState #SmallBusiness #AgpEconomy #RepatriateWA