Powerful unions, big spending put Democratic states in deepest fiscal holes. _____________________________________ Want to know which states are in the worst financial condition? One telling indicator that might not immediately come to mind is whether most of its citizens identify themselves as Democrats. The five states in the worst financial condition--Illinois, New York, Connecticut, California and New Jersey--are all among the bluest of blue states. The five most fiscally fit states are more of a mix. Three--Utah, Nebraska and Texas--boast Republican majorities and two--New Hampshire and Virginia--skew Democratic. http://www.forbes.com/2010/02/25/democratic-states-bad-financial-shape-personal-finance-blue.html
it also helps when your state gets more in federal spending than it pays in taxes as most red states do. Illinois, New York, Connecticut, California and New Jersey al pay more than they recieve. http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/266.html