2015 Financial Condition Report

For Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015

Total Spending

2015 Financial Condition Report
For Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015

Spending generally reflects the State’s program priorities. When compared to revenue, spending can help measure the State’s ability to support continuing programs. State spending, which includes spending from federal funds, is recorded on a cash basis.

See Appendices 1 and 2 for a breakdown of State spending by major service function and funding source for the past five years.

Growth in State Spending Has Been Below the Rate of Inflation Over the Past Five Years

  • Compared to the prior year, State spending increased $6.4 billion (4.6 percent) to $143.9 billion in 2015.
  • Since 2011, the rate of inflation (Consumer Price Index of 8.0 percent) has exceeded the growth in State spending (6.8 percent).
  • State spending has been partially paid for by borrowing $16.8 billion since 2011, including $3.3 billion in 2015.
  • In 2015, State spending was $7,287 per person.
  • Spending on public health and education represents 68.1 percent of total State spending.
Actual State Spending Versus Spending at the Rate of Inflation
2015 Total State Spending Per Person by Program Area