Assuming the following is true, what is state income taxes used for?

Question

Property taxes generally fund your local school district and municipalities.

Cities generally don't charge a sales tax but a 1-3% wage tax which they use to provide services in the city such as maintenance, police and civic services.

Sales tax is generally collected on a state level and used to manage state services, courts, police and maintenance.

Above came from another answer regarding the use of sales tax. So is the 1-3% wage tax this person is referring to, the state income tax? If so, why would that figure vary, the percentage I mean? Isn't that an apportioned tax? Why would each city vary the percentage?

Answer 1

The state may use the money to perform any function which is allowable under the US Constitution. That is, to promote the health, safety, or welfare of its population; to protect its natural resources; to perform services that even overlap those of the federal government, as long as the federal government allows such (i.e., does not claim to be the only source of this).

The use of the money must have some rational basis to support these or similar goals. As an example of something that is not, the Supreme Court found that Alaska's practice of rewarding its citizens for staying there based on the number of years of citizenship was irrational because it did not support any rational goal and in fact conflicted with the right to travel.

Answer 2

Well I don't know where they are spent in your state - but here is the link to find out how they are spent in mine: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/gen_assembly/HouseFinance/2007BudgetEnacted.pdf