State Budgets
Source and Methodological Information
List of Indicators
State and Local Government Total Expenditures
State and Local Government Total Expenditures minus Federal Grants
Federal Grants-in-Aid to State and Local Governments
Federal Government Total Expenditures as a Percent of GDP
Federal Government Total Expenditures minus Grants and National Defense as a Percent of GDP
State and Local Government Total Expenditures as a Percent of GDP
State and Local Government Total Expenditures minus Federal Grants as a Percent of GDP
Percent of State and Local Government Expenditures on Interest on General Debt
Percent of State and Local Government Expenditures on Sewerage and Solid Waste Management
Percent of State and Local Government Expenditures on Housing and Community Development
Percent of State and Local Government Expenditures on Parks and Natural Resources
Percent of State and Local Government Expenditures on Public Safety
Percent of State and Local Government Expenditures on Highways
Percent of State and Local Government Expenditures on Health and Hospitals
Percent of State and Local Government Expenditures on Public Welfare
Percent of State and Local Government Expenditures on Education
Percent of State and Local Government Revenues from Federal Government Transfers
Percent of State and Local Government Revenues from Property Taxes
Percent of State and Local Government Revenues from Sales and Gross Receipts Taxes
Percent of State and Local Government Revenues from Individual Income Taxes
Percent of State and Local Government Revenues from Corporate Income Taxes
Percent of State and Local Government Revenues from Charges and Miscellaneous sources
Percent Increase in State Tax Collections
Percent Increase in State Individual Income Tax Collections
Percent Increase in State Sales and Gross Receipt Tax Collections
Percent Increase in State Property Tax Collections
Enacted State Tax Increases as a Percent of State Tax Collections in Previous Year
State and Local Government Total Expenditures
Description
Total state and local government expenditures in billions of constant dollars.
Source
Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Income and Product Account Tables.
Methodological Notes
Total government expenditures include government consumption expenditures and gross investment. Government consumption expenditures consist of spending by government to produce and provide services to the public, such as public education. Gross investment consists of spending by government for fixed assets that directly benefit the public, such as highway construction; or that assist government agencies in their production activities, such as purchases of computer hardware. For more information, see Chapter 9 of the NIPA Handbook.
Dollars are adjusted for inflation using the Bureau of Economic Analysis price index for state and local government consumption expenditures and gross investment; see National Income and Product Accounts.
State and Local Government Total Expenditures minus Federal Grants
Description
Total state and local government expenditures minus federal grants-in-aid, in billions of constant dollars.
Source
Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Income and Product Account Tables.
Methodological Notes
Total government expenditures include government consumption expenditures and gross investment. Government consumption expenditures consist of spending by government to produce and provide services to the public, such as public education. Gross investment consists of spending by government for fixed assets that directly benefit the public, such as highway construction; or that assist government agencies in their production activities, such as purchases of computer hardware. For more information, see Chapter 9 of the NIPA Handbook.
Federal grants-in-aid are purpose-specific transferences of funds from the federal government to state and local governments; the purposes vary widely, from providing job training to community development to environmental protection.
Dollars are adjusted for inflation using the Bureau of Economic Analysis price index for state and local government consumption expenditures and gross investment; see National Income and Product Accounts.
Federal Grants-in-Aid to State and Local Governments
Description
Total amount of federal grants-in-aid to state and local governments, in billions of constant dollars.
Source
Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Income and Product Account Tables.
Methodological Notes
Federal grants-in-aid are purpose-specific transferences of funds from the federal government to state and local governments; the purposes vary widely, from providing job training to community development to environmental protection.
Dollars are adjusted for inflation using the Bureau of Economic Analysis price index for state and local government consumption expenditures and gross investment; see National Income and Product Accounts.
Federal Government Total Expenditures as a Percent of GDP
Description
Total federal government expenditures as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Source
Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Income and Product Account Tables.
Methodological Notes
Total government expenditures include government consumption expenditures and gross investment. Government consumption expenditures consist of spending by government to produce and provide services to the public, such as public education. Gross investment consists of spending by government for fixed assets that directly benefit the public, such as highway construction; or that assist government agencies in their production activities, such as purchases of computer hardware. For more information, see Chapter 9 of the NIPA Handbook.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of a country is the market value of all final goods and services produced by labor and property located in that country.
Federal Government Total Expenditures minus Grants and National Defense as a Percent of GDP
Description
Total federal government expenditures minus expenditures on national defense and grants-in-aid to state and local governments, as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product.
Source
Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Income and Product Account Tables.
Methodological Notes
Total government expenditures include government consumption expenditures and gross investment. Government consumption expenditures consist of spending by government to produce and provide services to the public, such as public education. Gross investment consists of spending by government for fixed assets that directly benefit the public, such as highway construction; or that assist government agencies in their production activities, such as purchases of computer hardware. For more information, see Chapter 9 of the NIPA Handbook.
Federal grants-in-aid are purpose-specific transferences of funds from the federal government to state and local governments; the purposes vary widely, from providing job training to community development to environmental protection.
National defense spending includes spending on military defense, civil defense, foreign military aid, defense-related research and development, and other miscellaneous defense spending.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of a country is the market value of all final goods and services produced by labor and property located in that country.
State and Local Government Total Expenditures as a Percent of GDP
Description
Total expenditures of state and local governments as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Source
Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Income and Product Account Tables.
Methodological Notes
Total government expenditures include government consumption expenditures and gross investment. Government consumption expenditures consist of spending by government to produce and provide services to the public, such as public education. Gross investment consists of spending by government for fixed assets that directly benefit the public, such as highway construction; or that assist government agencies in their production activities, such as purchases of computer hardware. For more information, see Chapter 9 of the NIPA Handbook.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of a country is the market value of all final goods and services produced by labor and property located in that country.
State and Local Government Total Expenditures minus Federal Grants as a Percent of GDP
Description
Total expenditures of state and local governments minus federal grants-in-aid, as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Source
Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Income and Product Account Tables.
Methodological Notes
Total government expenditures include government consumption expenditures and gross investment. Government consumption expenditures consist of spending by government to produce and provide services to the public, such as public education. Gross investment consists of spending by government for fixed assets that directly benefit the public, such as highway construction; or that assist government agencies in their production activities, such as purchases of computer hardware. For more information, see Chapter 9 of the NIPA Handbook.
Federal grants-in-aid are purpose-specific transferences of funds from the federal government to state and local governments; the purposes vary widely, from providing job training to community development to environmental protection.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of a country is the market value of all final goods and services produced by labor and property located in that country.
Percent of State and Local Government Expenditures on Interest on General Debt
Description
Percent of state and local government expenditures used to pay interests on general debt (excluding utility debt).
Source
Tax Policy Center, State and Local Government Finance Data Query System. The Tax Policy Center’s estimates are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances.
Methodological Notes
The Census Bureau conducts a census of state and local governments every five years to measure government expenditures and revenues. Data for the intervening years are based on a sample of governments.
Percent of State and Local Government Expenditures on Sewerage and Solid Waste Management
Description
Percent of state and local government expenditures used for the provision and operation of sewer systems and sewage disposal and treatment facilities; for the collection and disposal of garbage, refuse, and hazardous and other solid wastes; and for the cleaning of streets, alleys, and sidewalks.
Source
Tax Policy Center, State and Local Government Finance Data Query System. The Tax Policy Center’s estimates are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances.
Methodological Notes
The Census Bureau conducts a census of state and local governments every five years to measure government expenditures and revenues. Data for the intervening years are based on a sample of governments.
Percent of State and Local Government Expenditures on Housing and Community Development
Description
Percent of state and local government expenditures used for the construction, operation, and support of housing and redevelopment projects and other activities aimed at promoting or aiding public and private housing and community development.
Source
Tax Policy Center, State and Local Government Finance Data Query System. The Tax Policy Center’s estimates are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances.
Methodological Notes
The Census Bureau conducts a census of state and local governments every five years to measure government expenditures and revenues. Data for the intervening years are based on a sample of governments.
Percent of State and Local Government Expenditures on Parks and Natural Resources
Description
Percent of state and local government expenditures used for the conservation, promotion, and development of natural resources; the regulation of industries that develop, utilize, or affect natural resources; and the provision and support of recreational and cultural-scientific facilities maintained for the benefit of residents and visitors.
Source
Tax Policy Center, State and Local Government Finance Data Query System. The Tax Policy Center’s estimates are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances.
Methodological Notes
The Census Bureau conducts a census of state and local governments every five years to measure government expenditures and revenues. Data for the intervening years are based on a sample of governments.
Percent of State and Local Government Expenditures on Public Safety
Description
Percent of state and local government expenditures used for police protection, fire protection, and the operation of correctional institutions and programs.
Source
Tax Policy Center, State and Local Government Finance Data Query System. The Tax Policy Center’s estimates are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances.
Methodological Notes
The Census Bureau conducts a census of state and local governments every five years to measure government expenditures and revenues. Data for the intervening years are based on a sample of governments.
Percent of State and Local Government Expenditures on Highways
Description
Percent of state and local government expenditures used for the maintenance, operation, repair, and construction of highways, streets, roads, alleys, sidewalks, bridges, tunnels, ferry boats, viaducts, and related structures.
Source
Tax Policy Center, State and Local Government Finance Data Query System. The Tax Policy Center’s estimates are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances.
Methodological Notes
The Census Bureau conducts a census of state and local governments every five years to measure government expenditures and revenues. Data for the intervening years are based on a sample of governments.
Percent of State and Local Government Expenditures on Health and Hospitals
Description
Percent of state and local government expenditures used for the provision of services aimed at conserving and improving public health, including the operation of governments’ own hospitals and the provision of care in other hospitals (public or private).
Source
Tax Policy Center, State and Local Government Finance Data Query System. The Tax Policy Center’s estimates are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances.
Methodological Notes
The Census Bureau conducts a census of state and local governments every five years to measure government expenditures and revenues. Data for the intervening years are based on a sample of governments.
Percent of State and Local Government Expenditures on Public Welfare
Description
Percent of state and local government expenditures used to operate or fund public welfare programs.
Source
Tax Policy Center, State and Local Government Finance Data Query System. The Tax Policy Center’s estimates are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances.
Methodological Notes
The Census Bureau conducts a census of state and local governments every five years to measure government expenditures and revenues. Data for the intervening years are based on a sample of governments.
Percent of State and Local Government Expenditures on Education
Description
Percent of state and local government expenditures used for the construction, maintenance, and operation of public schools and other educational facilities and institutions, and for the provision of scholarships and other financial aid to meet educational expenses.
Source
Tax Policy Center, State and Local Government Finance Data Query System. The Tax Policy Center’s estimates are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances.
Methodological Notes
The Census Bureau conducts a census of state and local governments every five years to measure government expenditures and revenues. Data for the intervening years are based on a sample of governments.
Percent of State and Local Government Revenues from Federal Government Transfers
Description
Percent of state and local government revenues that come from federal government transfers, including grants and aid, payments-in-lieu-of-taxes on federal property, and reimbursements for state activities.
Source
Tax Policy Center, State and Local Government Finance Data Query System. The Tax Policy Center’s estimates are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances.
Methodological Notes
The Census Bureau conducts a census of state and local governments every five years to measure government expenditures and revenues. Data for the intervening years are based on a sample of governments.
Percent of State and Local Government Revenues from Property Taxes
Description
Percent of state and local government revenues that come from the levying of property taxes.
Source
Tax Policy Center, State and Local Government Finance Data Query System. The Tax Policy Center’s estimates are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances.
Methodological Notes
Property taxes are taxes imposed on the ownership of property, in which the amount of tax is a function of property value.
The Census Bureau conducts a census of state and local governments every five years to measure government expenditures and revenues. Data for the intervening years are based on a sample of governments.
Percent of State and Local Government Revenues from Sales and Gross Receipts Taxes
Description
Percent of state and local government revenues that come from the levying of taxes on sales and gross receipts.
Source
Tax Policy Center, State and Local Government Finance Data Query System. The Tax Policy Center’s estimates are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances.
Methodological Notes
Sales and gross receipts taxes include general taxes on the sales of goods and services and on the gross revenues of companies, and selective taxes on sales of particular services or commodities such as alcoholic beverages and motor fuels.
The Census Bureau conducts a census of state and local governments every five years to measure government expenditures and revenues. Data for the intervening years are based on a sample of governments.
Percent of State and Local Government Revenues from Individual Income Taxes
Description
Percent of state and local government revenues that come from the levying of income taxes on individuals.
Source
Tax Policy Center, State and Local Government Finance Data Query System. The Tax Policy Center’s estimates are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances.
Methodological Notes
Individual income taxes are taxes imposed on the income of individuals, in which the amount of the tax is a function of their overall net income or the income they receive from specific sources (e.g., interests, dividends, income from intangibles).
The Census Bureau conducts a census of state and local governments every five years to measure government expenditures and revenues. Data for the intervening years are based on a sample of governments.
Percent of State and Local Government Revenues from Corporate Income Taxes
Description
Percent of state and local government revenues that come from the levying of income taxes on corporations.
Source
Tax Policy Center, State and Local Government Finance Data Query System. The Tax Policy Center’s estimates are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances.
Methodological Notes
Corporate income taxes are taxes imposed on corporations and unincorporated businesses (when taxed separately from individuals), in which the amount of the tax is a function of net income. These taxes may be imposed on corporations in general or on specific kinds of corporations, such as financial institutions.
The Census Bureau conducts a census of state and local governments every five years to measure government expenditures and revenues. Data for the intervening years are based on a sample of governments.
Percent of State and Local Government Revenues from Charges and Miscellaneous sources
Description
Percent of state and local government revenues that come from charges and miscellaneous sources.
Source
Tax Policy Center, State and Local Government Finance Data Query System. The Tax Policy Center’s estimates are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances.
Methodological Notes
Government charges include amounts received from the public for the performance of specific services that benefit the persons charged, and from the sale of commodities or services other than utilities and liquor (e.g., school lunch sales, fees from toll roads and bridges).
The Census Bureau conducts a census of state and local governments every five years to measure government expenditures and revenues. Data for the intervening years are based on a sample of governments.
Percent Increase in State Tax Collections
Description
Percent increase from the previous year in state tax collections.
Source
Estimates are produced by the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, State Government Tax Collections Historical Data.
Methodological Notes
Before calculating percent increases, dollars are adjusted for inflation using the Bureau of Economic Analysis price index for state and local government consumption expenditures and gross investment; see National Income and Product Accounts.
Percent Increase in State Individual Income Tax Collections
Description
Percent increase from the previous year in state individual income tax collections.
Source
Estimates are produced by the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, State Government Tax Collections Historical Data.
Methodological Notes
Individual income taxes are taxes imposed on the income of individuals, in which the amount of the tax is a function of their overall net income or the income they receive from specific sources (e.g., interests, dividends, income from intangibles).
Before calculating percent increases, dollars are adjusted for inflation using the Bureau of Economic Analysis price index for state and local government consumption expenditures and gross investment; see National Income and Product Accounts.
Percent Increase in State Sales and Gross Receipt Tax Collections
Description
Percent increase from the previous year in state sales and gross receipt tax collections.
Source
Estimates are produced by the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, State Government Tax Collections Historical Data.
Methodological Notes
Sales and gross receipts taxes include general taxes on the sales of goods and services and on the gross revenues of companies, and selective taxes on sales of particular services or commodities such as alcoholic beverages and motor fuels.
Before calculating percent increases, dollars are adjusted for inflation using the Bureau of Economic Analysis price index for state and local government consumption expenditures and gross investment; see National Income and Product Accounts.
Percent Increase in State Property Tax Collections
Description
Percent increase from the previous year in state property tax collections.
Source
Estimates are produced by the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, State Government Tax Collections Historical Data.
Methodological Notes
Property taxes are taxes imposed on the ownership of property, in which the amount of tax is a function of property value.
Before calculating percent increases, dollars are adjusted for inflation using the Bureau of Economic Analysis price index for state and local government consumption expenditures and gross investment; see National Income and Product Accounts.
The difference between expected or enacted levels of spending and anticipated revenue collections at the state level, summed across all states.
Source
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), State Budget Updates.
Methodological Notes
The NCSL’s estimates are based on a survey of state legislative fiscal officers. Dollars are adjusted for inflation using the Bureau of Economic Analysis price index for state and local government consumption expenditures and gross investment; see National Income and Product Accounts.
Description
Changes in state government revenues resulting from tax and fee increases, in billions of constant dollars.
Source
National Association of State Budget Officers, Fiscal Survey of States.
Methodological Notes
Dollars are adjusted for inflation using the Bureau of Economic Analysis price index for state and local government consumption expenditures and gross investment; see National Income and Product Accounts.
Enacted State Tax Increases as a Percent of State Tax Collections in Previous Year
Description
Changes in state government revenues resulting from tax and fee increases, as a percentage of state tax collections from the previous year.
Source
Estimates are produced by the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality, based on data from the National Association of State Budget Officers, Fiscal Survey of States and the U.S. Census Bureau, State Government Tax Collections Historical Data.
Methodological Notes
Before calculating percentages, dollars are adjusted for inflation using the Bureau of Economic Analysis price index for state and local government consumption expenditures and gross investment; see National Income and Product Accounts.