By Bethany Blankley (Center Square), includes “… In seven of the 10 states in the worst financial shape with the highest taxpayer burdens, the state government was under unified Democratic control (the governor and both houses of the state legislature were Democratic), while the other three were under divided control. None of the 10 states in the worst financial straits were Republican-controlled. … Nine of the states with surpluses were Republican-controlled, one was Democratic, and one was split. … Despite having a surplus, all 11 states also received federal aid.”