How Low is Too Low? FY 2010-11 State Budget Sets Spending at Its Lowest Level in 14 Years

By Elaine Mejia

July 2010

Key Findings:

  • State spending per capita is now at the lowest level since FY 1996-97, dropping $311 over the past three years, from a peak of $2,257 in FY 2007-08 to $1,946 in FY 2010-11, which began July 1.
  • Measured as a share of the state’s Total Personal Income, state spending has dropped considerably, from a high of 8.16% in FY 1998-99 to 5.8% in FY 2010-11.