Blue State Progressive Governance Creates Wasteful Projects That Drain Public Resources
Source: Chris Bray. "Why Blue States Always Trend Toward Going Broke." April 15, 2026. thefederalist.com
The Gist
The author argues that liberal-run states go broke because they keep building expensive projects that sound good but don't work well. He uses California's SMART train as an example - it cost a billion dollars but hardly anyone rides it, so taxpayers have to cover huge losses every year.
Conclusion
Blue states trend toward going broke because progressive governance culture creates expensive symbolic projects that deliver minimal results but become impossible to shut down
Premises
- California's state spending grew 48% (inflation-adjusted) while population grew only 0.4% in the last decade, with state employees increasing 24.5%
- The SMART train cost nearly $1 billion to build but serves only 3,000-4,500 daily trips out of 1.5 million daily vehicle trips on Highway 101
- SMART train operations cost $47 million annually but generate only $2.3 million in passenger revenue, requiring $43.5 million in taxpayer subsidies
- No private business could survive with a $30 million payroll and only $2.3 million in customer receipts
- The train primarily serves recreational users (seniors, children with pool toys) rather than serious commuters, confirming critics' predictions of it becoming a 'hobby train'
- Similar wasteful projects exist throughout California, creating a clear pattern of fiscal irresponsibility
Assumptions
- Government projects should be evaluated using private sector financial metrics
- Public transportation should be primarily self-funding through passenger revenue
- Projects that don't significantly reduce traffic congestion are inherently wasteful
- Progressive governance culture inherently leads to poor fiscal decision-making
- The SMART train is representative of broader blue state spending patterns