I find irony in the fact that if the populous were better educated, the state would get less money.

While not strictly true (a better educated populous would probably earn more, and give more taxes to the state, among other reasons), I find the idea on this small scale amusing.

Given the nature of this comment, I feel that I am justified in commenting to inform you that the word you are looking for is "populace."

He probably learned the spelling based upon the old video game. I wouldn't fault him for that.