If we cut federal departments and programs, I fear many states will just create their own and tax citizens to death like the Federal was doing. To prevent wasteful spending, all States should be required to have a balanced budget and not be in or eliminate debt. Federal of course should have a balanced budget too. What are the consequences if they do not? I feel States like California. Far in debt because of liberal policies, they lose representatives or senate votes. Why should poorly ran states have a say in anything, or maybe States that actually run things better temporarily take over to fix things. Educate the poorer ran states.