New Jersey still gets the least bang for its federal tax bucks.

Byline: Peter J. Sampson

Oct. 8--When it comes to Uncle Sam's tax and spending policies, New Jersey ranks at the bottom of the food chain -- again.

While states such as New Mexico, Alaska and Mississippi made out like bandits, New Jersey got back just better than half a buck for every dollar its residents sent to Washington last year. New Jersey's return in federal spending as a ratio of the amount of tax dollars it pays was ranked the lowest among the 50 states for the third consecutive year, according to the Tax Foundation, a non-profit organization.

New Jersey had the third-highest tax burden per capita but was the ninth-lowest recipient of …