Democratic lawmakers have introduced the novel and untested approach in at least four states.

The novel and untested approach has been introduced by Democratic lawmakers in at least four states.

Democratic legislators mostly in blue states are attempting to fight back against Donald Trump’s efforts to withhold funding from their states with bills that aim to give the federal government a taste of its own medicine.

The novel and untested approach — so far introduced in Connecticut, Maryland, New York and Wisconsin — would essentially allow states to withhold federal payments if lawmakers determine the federal government is delinquent in funding owed to them. Democrats in Washington state said they are in the process of drafting a similar measure.

These bills still have a long way to go before becoming law, and legal experts said they would face obstacles. But they mark the latest efforts by Democrats at the state level to counter what they say is a massive overreach by the Trump administration to cease providing federal funding for an array of programs that have helped states pay for health care, food assistance and environmental protections.

  • bdonvrA
    71·
    2 days ago

    Is it really doable? Federal income taxes go directly to the fed without state intervention

    • grysbok@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
      2·
      2 days ago

      Payments available for withholding include the federal taxes collected from the paychecks of state employees, as well as grant payments owed back to the federal government.

      As I read it: as a state employee my federal taxes would still come out of my paycheck, but the state would hold to the money. Sounds like it could get complicated for me come tax season.