Blue States should write legislation to withhold federal taxes

[PettyinPinkGirl]

Jessica Ramos, a state senator who is running for mayor in New York City, cited Senate Democrats’ decision in Washington to join with Republicans to prevent a government shutdown as an example of her party’s not doing enough to stand up to Mr. Trump.

She and Mr. Lasher introduced legislation that would let the state withhold funds meant for the federal government if “the federal government refuses to disburse funds to the state in contravention of a court order.”
“Democrats need to bring a gun to a gunfight,” she said. “The overwhelming feeling from constituents is, ‘We want to see Democrats have a spine. We want Democrats to fight back against the Republicans.’”

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/nyregion/trump-musk-ny-tesla.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c&pvid=2CAC6356-A182-4B7B-BAA3-4EA1AF5A4B4F

This is good. Elon needs to be struck with his own slash and burn methods. But we need to do more in reaching out to our representatives to move legislation through to block the Trump administration from receiving any federal taxes from the blue states - like the ideas forming in NY and NJ - (and any swing states we can get it through) until illegally held federal funds are restored. Choke off the dependent states. Choke off the function of the federal government. Strong arm tactics require an opponent with either stronger tactics, or wilier tactics. We must tell the democratic representatives to stop being spineless and do something big, something bold.

[Raven123]

1. Interesting

Wonder how that could be implemented.

[bucolic_frolic]

2. Agree. If taxes paid to Feds is just wasted on billionaire tax cuts and Federal programs

are no longer paid for, what are states to do? Constituents need food and Medicaid and services formerly paid for by Federal money.

That article has some great ideas!

[MichMan]

3. States dont pay Federal taxes, individual taxpayers do

Not sure what legislation a state could pass that exempted its own residents from the obligations of paying Federal income, social security and Medicare taxes. Currently, those taxes are withheld by employers and sent directly to the US Treasury through the IRS.

A state would have to order the employers to send it to them instead. What happens when the DOJ charges either those employers or the individual taxpayers with tax evasion? Do constituents of these states want their Social Security accounts no longer being funded ?

[adnoid]

5. Exactly this

What happens when the DOJ charges either those employers or the individual taxpayers with tax evasion? Do constituents of these states want their Social Security accounts no longer being funded ?

This is exactly the point. The employers and individuals owe these funds to the US Treasury. The State would have to confiscate them and keep them - would they intercept the bank transfers or something similar? I don't see how this would relieve the payers of the responsibility to the Treasury.

When your employer withholds income and SS amounts from your paycheck, it's not the employer's money - it's your money, the employer is legally required to send it to the Treasury on your behalf. They don't send it, you don't get credit for it, and it's still owed.

Would the State tell employers, for instance, that the State would indemnify them from collection efforts, penalties, interest, etc? That would get very expensive for the State.

[malaise]

4. Get thee to the greatest page

for visibility

[tritsofme]

6. This makes no sense. If a state somehow stole the federal taxes withheld on your check

You would still owe the federal government what you owe.

[mitch96]

7. Sanction the Fed Gov't till things get normal, then give them the money...Would that work? nt